At Arias we provided legal advice to Univar Solutions Inc. in the acquisition of the regional chemical company Chemsol. Univar Solutions Inc. is a leading global distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients representing a premier portfolio of the world's leading producers. Chemsol, on the other hand, has important companies in Panama and subsidiaries in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. 


Univar Solutions chose us as their primary point of contact for the due diligence process and pre-closing stage; In addition, we advised them in the identification of risks and the coordination of corporate, labor and tax matters essential for the transaction. We also advised the buyer with antitrust assessments. 


The deal consisted on a purchase of shares from the entire company, including affiliated target companies. This agreement involves a great deal of detail for the purchase of shares, and our office in Costa Rica was the coordinating law firm of the Central American jurisdictions. 


Our lawyers involved were:


Costa Rica (coordinating country):

  • Andrey Dorado (Partner)
  • Tracy Varela (Senior Counsel)
  • Desirée Barahona (Associate)


Guatemala:

  • Luis Pedro del Valle (Partner)
  • Florencio Gramajo (Associate)


El Salvador:

  • Roberta Gallardo (Partner)
  • Ernesto Sánchez (Senior Counsel)


Honduras:

  • Mario Agüero (Partner)
  • Rodolfo Salgado (Associate)


Panama:

  • María Cristina Fábrega (Partner)
  • Paula Vives (Associate)



The acquisition of Chemsol will enhance Univar Solutions Inc.'s geographic footprint in the Central American region, as well as its formulation and commercial offering in a wide range of key growth markets, including beauty and personal care, pharmaceutical excipients, groceries, coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers, lubricants and metallurgical fluids. 

Our advice to Univar Solutions Inc. has been a success in legal and strategic terms, and we have demonstrated once again our leadership in corporate legal matters in the Central American region. 


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We congratulate Univar Solutions on this acquisition and wish them success in their business journey! We are honored to have been part of this process as your legal counsel.