DWF has advised the majority shareholders of Europa Support Services Limited, a property and infrastructure support services company, on its sale to Bilfinger, the engineering and services group, in a deal which sees Bilfinger significantly expand its facility services activities in the UK.

Europa Support Services Limited was previously majority-owned by two private equity funds; minority stakes were held by the founder's family and management and in the deal Bilfinger will acquire all shares.

Europa Support Services is one of the leading providers of technical, infrastructural and integrated facility management services in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. As a result of its broad positioning as a fully-integrated service provider, the company has a strong competitive position in its markets and has established longstanding relationships with renowned companies such as L'Oreal, Barclays, Esso and United Utilities.

Corporate partner Paul Pignatelli and associate Tom Maxwell led the deal at DWF. Paul commented: "As a business Europa has strong synergies with Bilfinger and its business model fits in perfectly with Bilfinger's strategy. This deal will enable Bilfinger to strengthen its current offering and successfully position itself in the competition for large contracts with internationally active companies in the UK, which is one of the most important facility management markets in Europe."

The team was supported by solicitor Gemma Gallagher and trainee solicitor Gayle Biggart in the corporate team; partner Ronnie Brown in the tax team; partner Colin Greig and trainee solicitor Colin Crocker in the pensions team; and partner Geoff Stansfield and senior solicitor Gregor Duthie in the real estate team at DWF.