Watson, Farley & Williams (“WFW”) has advised EMERAM Capital Partners GmbH, Munich (“EMERAM”) on the approximately €39 million acquisition of Boards & More Group (“Boards & More”), the world's leading company for kitesurfing, windsurfing and stand up paddling equipment.

Lawyers from four of WFW’s 13 offices worked together for EMERAM on the acquisition from the seller, Swiss Airesis Holding, advising on the management participation program, legal due diligence for the German and French local matters, as well as on the asset purchase agreement.

Equity for this transaction will be provided by EMERAM Private Equity Fund I.

Based in Munich, Germany, EMERAM was founded in 2012 as an independent partnership aiming to become the leading investment company focused on equity investments in small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Based in Mölln, Austria, Boards & More has achieved significant growth over the past 10 years, generating revenues of €45 million in 2012. With its four high-performance brands North Kiteboarding, Northsails, ION and Fanatic, the company has also recently entered the market for high performance bike wear.

The international WFW team was led and coordinated by partner Dr. Simon Preisenberger (Corporate, Munich). He was supported by partners Marcus Nothhelfer (Intellectual Property, Bangkok) and Anne Kleffmann (Employment, Munich) as well as associates Dr. Silke Pütz, Hi-Zin Pak and Marcel Nurk (all Corporate, Munich) and Dr. Christine Bader (Regulatory, Hamburg).

The WFW team in Paris was led by partner Pascal Roux who was supported by associates Pierre Ferroud, Ariane Massonaud and Claire Gamain (all Corporate, Paris).

Wenger & Vieli and bpv Hügel advised EMERAM on Swiss and Austrian law respectively.

Dr. Simon Preisenberger, who led the transaction on the WFW side, says: “We are very pleased to advise EMERAM as a recently established private equity fund on its first investment.”