Gide has advised Lactalis on the acquisition of an 80% stake in the dairy heavyweight Ak Gida from its shareholders, in particular Turkish food industry leader Yildiz Holding. This operation, which remains subject to customary conditions for this type of transaction, in particular the approval of the competition authority, marks the beginning of a new stage in Lactalis’ internationalisation strategy.

Ak Gida, which posts a turnover of 700 million euros, produces milk, yoghurts, ayran (a Turkish specialty yoghurt drink), and a whole range of cow, goat and ewe cheeses that it exports in part, although its activity is essentially domestic. Its most well-known brands in the region are Icim and Dolcia.

Legal counsel to Lactalis:
Gide Paris: Christophe Eck (partner) and Edgard Nguyen
Gide Istanbul: the team was coordinated by Arpat Senocak (partner) and Alev Bayraktar