The value of AudioNova is EUR 830 million.
Sonova, headquartered in Switzerland, is one of the world’s leading providers of innovative hearing solutions. AudioNova is one of the largest European hearing aid retailers. The company runs more than 1,300 stores in eight countries; in 2015 the firm generated net sales of approx. EUR 360 million.
Insula AS, a company within the Kverva AS Group, has acquired Västkustfilé AB from Västkustfilé Förvaltning Aktiebolag.
Västkustfilé AB was established in 1974. The company specialises in processing seafood products and fresh whitefish products. The company´s main focus is the production of goods for private label customers on the European market. The business is located in Varberg, where the company manufactures products in a factory owned by the company.
On May 4, 2016, Sonova Holding AG ("Sonova") announced that they entered into an agreement with HAL Investments B.V. to acquire AudioNova International B.V. ("AudioNova"). AudioNova is one of Europe's largest hearing aid retailers, operating over 1,300 stores in 8 countries. The purchase consideration will be paid in cash and values AudioNova at EUR 830 million. The closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval and expected in the second half of 2016.
National law firm Shoosmiths has advised Californian games publisher Maximum Games LLC ("Maximum Games") on their acquisition of UK-based video games developer and distributor Avanquest Software Publishing Limited ("Avanquest").
The acquisition is an integral step in Maximum Games' future growth strategy and brings together the unique strengths of two commanding companies to deliver the highest level of console and PC video games to consumers around the world.
Charles Russell Speechlys has advised the Civica Group (an investee company of OMERS Private Equity) on its two latest acquisitions – the acquisition of digital transformation specialist, IPL Group and the acquisition of legal IT solutions provider, Norwel Computer Services.
IPL Group
International legal practice Osborne Clarke has advised CoStar Europe Limited on its acquisition of Thomas Daily GmbH. CoStar Group is the leading provider of commercial real estate information, analytics and online marketplaces. The company’s suite of online service offerings includes information about space available for lease, properties for sale, as well as analytical capabilities and industry news.
Thomas Daily is a leading provider of market information for the German real estate industry. CoStar aims to maintain the company’s growth with the acquisition.
CMS has advised Brenntag, the global market leader in chemical distribution, on all aspects of two transactions.
TripAdvisor, Inc., the world's largest travel site operator, has acquired Swiss domiciled HouseTrip AG. HouseTrip operates one of the largest holiday rental websites in the world.
Bär & Karrer acted as international legal advisor to TripAdvisor in the transaction. The team included Mariel Hoch, Daniel Raun, Sora Meyer and Manuel Baumberger (all M&A), Markus Wang, Jonas Bornhauser and Raphael Nusser (IP/data protection), Thomas Rohde (restructuring), Susanne Schreiber (tax) as well as Peter Hsu and Daniel Flühmann (financial regulation).
Clifford Chance is advising Nikon Corporation on its recommended all cash offer to acquire London listed Optos plc, a leading retinal imaging company domiciled in Scotland. The offer values Optos at approximately GBP 259 million. The proposed acquisition of Optos is an important step in Nikon's implementation of its strategic initiative focused on driving sustainable long term growth that was announced in its June 2014 Medium-Term Management Plan Transform to Grow.
Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek advised Host Europe Group on the acquisition of velia.net Internetdienste GmbH, Hanau, the acquisition of OpenIT GmbH, Düsseldorf, and the acquisition of MCS Moorbek Computer Systeme GmbH, Hamburg.
velia.net Internetdienste GmbH, headquartered in Hanau, was founded in 2000. The company with subsidiaries in the U.S. and Hong Kong offers a wide range of hosting solutions and has data centers in Frankfurt, Miami, and Los Angeles.