Ashurst advised funds advised by Equistone Partners Europe and their portfolio company Vivonio Furniture GmbH on the acquisition of fm Büromöbel Franz Meyer GmbH Co. KG from the fm Group.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The transaction still requires the approval of the cartel authorities.

By the purchase, Vivonio is further extending its competence as a major player in the European furniture market.

The Ashurst team was led by the corporate partner Dr Benedikt von Schorlemer, including partners Nicolas Deuerling (real estate), Dr Martin Bünning (tax, all Frankfurt) and Dr Bernd Egbers (finance, Munich). They were assisted by:

    Corporate/M&A: counsel Dr Philip Cavaillès, associates Anna-Maria Krekeler and Jan Ischreyt, paralegal Julia Stumpf;
    IP / IT and data protection: senior associate François Maartens Heynike;
    Real estate: associate Felix Bergfort;
    Employment: counsel Dr Marius Fritzsche and senior associate Juditha von der Heydt;
    Tax: associate Carina Park; and
    Finance: counsel Carsten Endres and paralegal Franziska Nebollieff.

Funds advised by Equistone acquired a majority stake in the Vivonio furniture group in 2012. Ashurst advised with a team led by Benedikt von Schorlemer.