Ashurst has advised LBO France on the acquisition financing of Alvest Group to AXA Private Equity and Equistone Partners Europe.

Alvest, through its TLD subsidiary, is a French industrial group, and global leader of ground support

equipment for airports. The group also produces and markets high-tech adhesive films, which are used for aeronautical applications. Alvest now has 1,350 employees, a global proprietary sale network and operates eight factories in the United States, Canada, France and China, which together serve customers in over 130 countries. The group reached a turnover of 314 million euros in 2012, more than double the 2006 level.

Ashurst acted as advisor to the sponsor on the senior and mezzanine financing for a total deal value of 90 million euros, in the context of the acquisition of the entire company's capital held by shareholders. The firm Mayer Brown advised the sponsor on the acquisition itself (partner Serge Levine assisted by Marion Henriet) and on the tax aspects (partner Olivier Parawan assisted by Elodie Deschamps).

The Ashurst team advising LBO France was composed of partner Diane Sénéchal, counsel Amanda Bevan and associates Pierre Roux, Marie Roche and Sadri Desenne-Djoudi on the banking law aspects.

The management team was advised by Hoche with a team led by partner Jean-Luc Blein and

Hottinguer Bank (Pierre de Bousingen and Philippe Bassouls).

The sellers, AXA Private Equity and Equistone Partners Europe, were advised by Linklaters (Vincent Ponsonnaille, Sébastien Pontillo).