Baker & McKenzie advised the private equity owned company Platinum Equity on the acquisition of Worldwide Flight Services, one of the world leaders in the port services, from LBO France.

WFS specialise in air cargo handling and ground handling services, and are present in over 140 airports, operating with 300 airline companies. Each year, the company takes charge of 4 million tonnes of goods and 50 million passengers.

Platinum Equity is a private equity owned company which has assets under management of more than 6 billion dollars and a portfolio including more than 30 worldwide companies. It undertakes activities in many sectors including transportation, logistics, media and telecommunications.

LBO France, independent venture capital firm with 3,1 billion euros under management, develops its strategy around 4 axis of unlisted capital investments : LBO Mid Caps, LBO Small Caps, investment and discounted debt.

Baker & McKenzie advised Platinum Equity with, in Paris, Eric Lasry, partner, Antoine Caillard, counsel, and Guillaume Nataf, senior associate, in corporate ; Guillaume Le Camus, partner, and Albane Sevin, counsel, in tax ; Alex Dowding, partner, and Thomas Oster, counsel, in competition ; Olivier Vasset, partner, and Nadege Dallais, senior associate, in labor. In London, the team was composed of Karen Guch, David Allen, partners, and of David Hart, Tom Pound, associates.

LBO France was advised by Mayer Brown, with Xavier Jaspar, Emily Pennec, partners, and Vincent Nédellec, in corporate ; Nathalie Jalabert, partner, in competition, and Laurent Borey, partner, in tax.

The management was counseled by Scotto & Associés with Lionel Scotto le Massese, partner, Adrien Badelon and Vincenzo Feldmann.

This transaction is anticipated to close at the end of June 2015.