DGAP-News: Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP / Key word(s): Private Equity/Mergers & Acquisitions

2015-09-18 / 12:35

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Willkie advises ADA Cosmetics International (ADA), one of Europe's leading manufacturer of premium hotel cosmetics, on the acquisition of Pacific Direct, Britain's biggest provider of luxury skin care products for hotels around the world. ADA was supported on this acquisition by its shareholder ARDIAN. Advisor of the buyer was a joint team from the Frankfurt and London offices of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.

Background of the transaction:

ADA Cosmetics is a leading international manufacturer of high-quality hotel cosmetics, Guest Amenities and accessories. The assortment comprises a large portfolio of in-house brands, ecologically conscious products, renowned international designer brands as well as innovative dispenser solutions and accessories. Product development and production follow on eco-friendly and sustainable approach. ADA serves more than 15,000 customers through a worldwide sales and distribution network in more than 50 countries. The Company focuses on three to five star hotels, such as the famous Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden Baden, the Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi and/or the Badrutt's Palace in St. Moritz as well as premium hotel chains such as Relais & Chateaux, Steigenberger and Mövenpick.
The acquisition of Pacific Direct strategically expanded the distribution network and the product portfolio of ADA. Hotel chains like Ritz Carlton, Crowne Plaza and Jumeirah Hotels are among Pacific Direct's customers, as well as other four and five star hotels.

ARDIAN Private Equity acquired ADA Cosmetics International just in August 2014 from Carlyle Group, with Willkie likewise acting as their advisors. The current acquisition of Pacific Direct is ARDIAN's second Add-On Investment during a buy-and-build strategy. In April 2015, ADA acquired Scandinavian Amenities A/S, a Danish manufacturer of hotel cosmetics. This acquisition has also been advised by Willkie's Frankfurt office in cooperation with Plesner.

Transaction advisors:

The Willkie team was led by Dr. Maximilian Schwab (Corporate, Frankfurt am Main) and Claire McDaid (Corporate, London) and included partners Jan Wilms (Finance, Frankfurt am Main), Mario Schmidt (Corporate, Frankfurt am Main), James Crooks (Finance, London), Judith Harger (Tax, London) and Susanne Zuehlke (Antitrust, Brussels/Frankfurt) as well as associates Johannes Eckhardt (Corporate, Frankfurt am Main), Daniel Zakrzewski (Corporate, Frankfurt am Main), Antonio Laino (Corporate, London), Sayjel Revell (Corporate, London), James Tannock (Corporate, London), Martin Waskowski (Corporate, Frankfurt am Main), Tobias Daubert (Finance, Frankfurt am Main), Christopher Clerihew (Finance, Frankfurt am Main), Martin Michalski (Finance, London) and Mamoun Shafi (Finance, London).
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is an international law firm with more than 650 attorneys with offices in New York, Washington, Paris, London, Milan, Rome, Houston, Frankfurt am Main and Brussels. The headquarters are located in New York, 787 Seventh Avenue.

Frankfurt am Main, September 18, 2015



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2015-09-18 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.
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