May 17, 2017
A cross-border Willkie team represents longtime client 3i Group plc in its agreement to invest up to €247 million in Formel D GmbH, a global service provider to the automotive and component supply industry.
On May 12, longtime Willkie client 3i Group plc announced that it has agreed to invest up to €247 million in Formel D, a Germany-based global service provider to the automotive and component supply industry. 3i is investing alongside management and is purchasing the business from listed Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG) and DBAG Fund V, a private equity fund managed by DBAG. 3i intends to introduce co-investors post-closing who have been working alongside 3i on the transaction.
With over 7,000 employees and more than 80 facilities in 19 countries, Formel D develops leading solutions for quality assurance and process optimization for automotive customers, including BMW, Daimler, VW and Audi. The company’s service portfolio spans from development to production and aftersales. 3i is a leading international investment manager focused on mid-market private equity and infrastructure.
The multidisciplinary, cross-border Willkie team was led by partner Mario Schmidt and included partners Georg Linde, Dr. Patrick Meiisel, Jan Wilms, Susanne Zuehlke and David Mortlock; national partners Dr. Jasmin Dettmar and Dr. Christian Rolf; special European counsel Nicolas Wolski; counsel Andrew Spital; and associates Daniel Zakrzewski, Tim Bulian, Andreas Knoedler, Ilie Manole, Martin Waskowski, Miriam Wolffsky, Christopher Clerihe, Philipp Heuser, Katie Luton and David Wall.
