Clifford Chance has advised Willis Group Holdings plc (NYSE: WSH) the global risk adviser, insurance and reinsurance broker which announced yesterday that it has made a firm offer to acquire 70% of Gras Savoye. Willis already holds a 30% stake in the company. The remaining stake in Gras Savoye will be acquired from Astorg Partners and the historic founding Families of Gras Savoye, the leading French insurance broker, which has a strong global presence, especially in Africa.

Houthoff Buruma advised Media-Saturn-Group, Europe’s number one consumer electronics retailer, on the acquisition of a majority stake in Dutch flash sales and live shopping platform iBOOD.com.

Houthoff Buruma team included: Jan-Paul van der Hoek, Peter Werdmuller, Guillette van Grinsven, Ageeth Panman, Gerrit Oosterhuis, Lonneke Schallenberg, Maarten Minnaard, Yvo van Bijsterveld, Anne Alkemade.

Slaughter and May, Hong Kong, advised China Orient Asset Management (International) Holding Limited (COAMI) on the mandatory general offer made by its subsidiary, Smart Success Capital Limited (Smart Success), for the entire issued share capital of Shanghai Zendai Property Limited (Zendai) other than the 50.03% shares already acquired by Smart Success from certain existing shareholders.

McCann FitzGerald are acting as Irish counsel to Horizon Pharma plc in relation to its proposed acquisition of Hyperion Therapeutics, Inc. for $46.00 per Share or $1.1 billion in cash.

Contacts
Ben Gaffikin, Partner
Joe Fay, Partner

Together with the management of GSV, Danica and the French Access Capital Partners, the Danish private equity fund CataCap has, today, announced the acquisition and combination of GSV Materieludlejning and Pitzner Materiel. Together they are a one stop shop and hold approx. 20 per cent of the market for rental of heavy equipment which in 2014 had revenues of more than DKK 3 billion. CataCap becomes majority shareholder in the company continuing under the name of GSV Materieludlejning.

Paul Hastings LLP announced today that it is representing Fosun International, the largest private-owned conglomerate in China, on its participation in the acquisition of Cirque Du Soleil. Fosun is a member of the buyer consortium backed by American buyout fund, TPG Capital.  The consortium signed definitive agreements with the owners of Cirque Du Soleil and the consummation of the acquisition is subject to customary conditions

Cirque Du Soleil is a globally renowned performance troupe and is the world’s largest theatrical production company.

Allen & Overy has advised Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) on its acquisition of Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), a leading global developer of solar power plants, from Denham Capital, Qualitas Venture Capital and founder shareholders.

The transaction represents a major step in the development of ALJ’s energy business. The ownership of FRV’s current global solar project pipeline of 3.8 GW across Australia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America positions ALJ as the largest GCC-based solar PV developer and one of the leading solar PV developers in the world.

Vinge has advised Lagerkrantz Group in connection with the acquisition of Cue Dee AB from Anicho Invest AB. Cue Dee develops and sells durable and flexible fastenings which are used for, among other things, supporting mobile telecommunications units on masts, towers, roof tops and other exposed areas. The company’s head office is located in Robertsfors, north of Umea and the company also has a subsidiary in China. The Cue Dee group has an annual turnover of approximately SEK 180 million and good liquidity.

Squire Patton Boggs has represented Tokyo-based Kagome Co., Ltd. in its acquisition of the American manufacturer of Tasty Bite brand ready-to-eat Asian entrees. Kagome will purchase 70% of the outstanding shares in Preferred Brands International valued at approximately US$82 million.

This deal is part of Kagome’s strategic plan for overseas expansion as well as an opportunity to re-enter the vegetable juice market.

Baker & McKenzie advised the Swiss investor Constellation on the acquisition of a majority stake in the HSM group.

In close cooperation with the owners and the management which will continue to be operationally involved, Constellation acquired a majority interest in HSM Group. The acquisition was structured as a share deal. Baker & McKenzie advised on all contract negotiations, as well as on matters relating to corporate law, labor law, tax law and public law. The purchase price has not been disclosed.