On 17 January 2017, Givaudan SA (Givaudan), Vernier, Switzerland (SIX: GIVN), announced that it had acquired Activ International (Activ) as part of its 2020 strategy to strengthen capabilities in natural flavour solutions to its customers.

Activ offers a range of natural and organic flavours, marine extracts, seafood and vegetable based culinary solutions to customers. With headquarters in Bienne (Switzerland), Activ operates from locations in Somerset (New Jersey, USA), Melaka (Malaysia), Mitry-Mory (Paris, France) and Arequipa (Peru).

On March 6, 2017, the US carmaker General Motors Co. (GM; NYSE:GM, TSX:GMM) announced an agreement under which GM's Opel|Vauxhall subsidiary and GM Financial's European operations will join the French PSA Group (PSA; Paris:UG). The transaction value of these activities is EUR 1.3 bn and EUR 0.9 bn, respectively, i.e., EUR 2.2 bn in the aggregate.

The sale is subject to various closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and reorganizations, and is expected to close before the end of 2017.

Travers Smith LLP has advised long-standing client The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) ("Carlyle") and management on the sale of ITRS to TA Associates, a leading global growth private equity firm.

Pinsent Masons has advised the shareholders of Equator Design (Equator) on the £33 million sale of the company to NASDAQ-listed Matthews International Corporation (Matthews).

Equator is a design agency specialising in grocery retail and consumer packaging brands with the rare capability to take brands from creation to shelf under one roof with one team.

Matthews International Corporation is a global provider of brand solutions, memorialization products and industrial automation solutions.

Clifford Chance advised white energy GmbH and AvG GmbH, founders and shareholders of bio-methane supplier bmp greengas GmbH, on the sale of regional energy provider Erdgas Südwest.

Erdgas Südwest is a joint subsidiary of EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG and OEW Energie-Beteiligungs GmbH. The transaction is still subject to antitrust clearance. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

Starwood Capital Group and Vencom Property Partners have divested Bromma Blocks to CBRE GIP European Co-Investment Fund. 

Bromma Blocks is a retail centre located in Stockholm with an approximate size of 57,000 square meters.

Starwood Capital Group is a leading global private investment firm with a core focus on real estate, energy infrastructure and oil & gas.

Vencom Property Partners develops and manages real property in the Nordic countries with a focus on retail properties.

Atlanta—Dentons has advised Atlanta-based advisory firm Shapiro Capital Management, LLC in an agreement for the sale of a majority ownership stake in Shapiro by American Beacon Advisors, Inc., which is a portfolio company of Kelso.

Shapiro will continue to be managed by the current team consisting of Sam Shapiro, Louis Shapiro, Michael McCarthy and Harry Shapiro. All four will also retain significant ownership of Shapiro, with Louis, Michael and Harry increasing their ownership positions through this transaction.

Telia has purchased the technology company Fältcom, a leading innovator on the international internet of things (IoT) arena. By connecting vehicles, machinery and buildings globally, Fältcom makes it possible for customers to handle and analyse machinery, buildings and systems online. The sellers included Industrifonden and SEB Venture Capital.

Vinge’s team primarily consisted of Johan Larsson, Johan Mattsson and Rasmus Perdahl.

Vinge has advised the seller in connection with the divestment of C-Sam AB to Telia Company AB (publ). C-Sam AB develops, manages and maintains the fiber and cable network in Södertälje, Järna and Nykvarn.

Vinge’s team primairly consisted of responsible partner Peter Sundgren and Oscar Rydén.

On February 19, 2017, UBS AG signed an agreement with Northern Trust Cooperation for the sale of the UBS fund services business in Luxemburg and Switzerland. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2017, subject to applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.