Allen & Overy LLP has advised Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale in connection with the investment of UK private equity firm 3i in Lampenwelt, Europe's largest online specialist in the lighting space. 3i will invest alongside management and one of the current owners of the business, Walter Neumüller.

Founded in 2004 by Thomas Rebmann and his brother Andreas Rebmann, Lampenwelt is the #1 specialty online retailer of lighting products in Europe. The company is headquartered in Schlitz near Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Lampenwelt distributes own brand and 3rd party products to customers in 12 countries across Europe. The company generated €61m of sales in 2016, of which 45% came from outside Germany. Lampenwelt has grown strongly in Germany and through a steady roll-out across Europe in recent years. With its investment 3i intends to help the company enlarge its footprint in Europe.

The Allen & Overy team was led by partner Thomas Neubaum and further comprised counsel Dr Urs Lewens, senior associate Patrick Reuter and associate Dr Anna Serwotka (all banking & finance, Frankfurt).

Inhouse advice at Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale was provided by Lars Riiser, Claus Hemsteg and Uwe Scherz.

3i was advised by Clifford Chance (partner Barbara Mayer-Trautmann, senior associate Matthias Töke).