DGAP-News: Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP / Key word(s): Investment
2016-10-12 / 18:00
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Ardian, the leading independent private investment company, announced the agreement for a majority shareholding in Weber Automotive GmbH ("Weber Automotive"). Weber Automotive is a family-owned internationally operating automotive supplier with seat in Markdorf am Bodensee. The founding family Weber will continue to hold a significant interest in the company. The funds for the investment are committed by the recently closed EUR 4.5 billion Ardian LBO Fund VI which is its third investment. In addition, Ardian and the founding family will provide further financial resources for the expansion of the company. Details of the transaction are not being disclosed, and the transaction remains subject to approval by relevant antitrust authorities.

Founded in 1969 and managed by the owner family, Weber Automotive is an internationally operating automotive supplier that focuses on drivetrain components for cars, heavy trucks and powersport vehicles for premium manufacturers at six locations in Germany, the USA and Hungary with more than 1,300 employees. Weber Automotive focuses on the machining of engine and transmission components and the assembly of complete systems. Weber Automotive further supports its customers with extensive experience and expertise in areas such as development and design of individual components and systems.

Since 2011, the company has more than quadrupled its sales from EUR 74 million to EUR 306 million in 2015. Basis for the strong growth has been the development of the company from a components' supplier to a systems provider for the vehicle supply industry and is a result of its corporate strategy that centers around long-term growth. With the support of Ardian, Weber Automotive is now looking to take the next step in its growth, in particular by way of further enhancement of its international footprint and investments in its market-leading technologies.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provided legal counsel to Ardian.
The Willkie team was led by Dr. Maximilian Schwab and Mario Schmidt (both Corporate/Private Equity) and included the partners Susanne Zuehlke (Antitrust law, Brussels/Frankfurt), Bettina Bokeloh (Tax), Christian Rolf (HR), the Counsel Jonathan J. Konoff (Antitrust law, New York) as well as associates Christina Mann, Martin Waskowski, Ilie Manole and Andreas Sandberger (all Corporate/Private Equity), Katja Wolf (Finance), James P. Markel and Christine K. Centola (both Corporate, New York), Jennifer Schanes (Real Estate, New York), Sharon Mori and Hyejin Jennifer Kim (both HR, New York), Annise Maguire (Environmental law, Washington) and Philipp Heuser (Antitrust law, Brussels).

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is an international law firm, comprising more than 650 attorneys with offices in New York, Washington, Houston, Paris, London, Milan, Rome Frankfurt and Brussels. The headquarters are in New York, 787 Seventh Avenue, Tel.: 001 212 728 8000.

Frankfurt, October 12, 2016

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2016-10-12 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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