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Freshfields advises the shareholder families of Huf on partnership with Sodecia
Global law firm Freshfields has advised the shareholder families of automotive supplier Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG on the sale of a minority stake in Huf Group to automotive supplier Sodecia S.A. and the establishment of a strategic partnership with the family-owned Portuguese company.
Sodecia will initially acquire a minority interest of 30% in Huf Group and provide significant shareholder funds that Huf will use to pursue its growth plans. By 2028, Sodecia will increase its stake in Huf Group and thus acquire a majority interest. The transaction is subject to usual closing conditions.
Huf Group specializes in vehicle access and authorization systems and supplies mechanical, electronic and software solutions for the global automotive industry in Europe, America and Asia. In 2023, Huf Group generated sales of more than €1.2bn and employed 7,500 people worldwide. Sodecia is an international company specializing in the design and manufacture of components and systems for the automotive industry. The company generated sales of over €1bn in 2023 and employs over 6,000 people worldwide.
Freshfields is advising on all legal aspects of the investment agreement and the establishment of the strategic partnership.
The Freshfields team was led by Counsel Arne Constantin-Krawinkel (Hamburg/Frankfurt) and Partner Christoph H. Seibt (both Corporate/M&A, Hamburg), and further included Partner Tobias Klose (Antitrust, Düsseldorf), Partner Alexander Schwahn (Tax, Hamburg) and Partner Niko Schultz-Süchting (Real Estate, Hamburg). Associates Kristin Kapral and Daniel Extra (both Corporate/M&A, Hamburg), Counsel Juliane Ziebarth, Associates Estelle Lemarignier (both Düsseldorf), and Celia Diederichs (all Antitrust, Berlin), Counsel Uwe Salaschek and Associate Helena Haag (both Foreign Direct Investment, Berlin). Further, Principal Associate Tobias Franz and Associate Fabienne Gieshoidt (both Tax, Hamburg), Principal Associate Nina Gissinger and Associate Eike Jani (both Real Estate, Hamburg), Principal Associates Flavia Lang (Labour Law, Hamburg) and Marlen Vesper-Gräske (Compliance, Berlin), as well as Counsel Sascha Arnold (Regulatory, Hamburg) and Philipp Lehmann and Associates Zahar Qasim and Valentin Bingger (all IP/IT, Hamburg).
