Freshfields has advised listed Canadian company ATS Automation Tooling Systems on the acquisition of German IWK Verpackungstechnik and its US-affiliate OYSTAR IWK USA for approximately 100 million Euro.

International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised listed Canadian company ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. on the acquisition of German IWK Verpackungstechnik GmbH and its US-affiliate OYSTAR IWK USA, Inc. The final purchase price is expected to be approximately Euro 100 million. ATS expects to complete the acquisition towards the end of 2013. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory and competition bureau approvals.

ATS produces automation systems especially for the consumer products & electronics, energy, life sciences and transportation sectors, employing 2,300 people at 20 manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United States, Europe, Southeast Asia and China. Germany-based IWK produces high performance tube filling and cartoning systems mainly for the pharmaceutical and personal care industries. With 420 employees worldwide, IWK generated revenues of approximately Euro 82 million in 2012, two thirds in Europe and North America.

The Freshfields team advising ATS comprised Wessel Heukamp, Judit Gajdics (both corporate), Moritz Heidbuechel, Ina Hock (both real estate) as well as Frank Röhling and Bertrand Guerin (both competition), Thomas Granetzny and Ulrich Sittard (both employment), Jacques Grobkreuz (tax) and Jan Bosing (IP/IT).