Shearman & Sterling advised LBO France in connection with its exclusive negotiation agreement with Five Arrows Principal Investments and Mr. Maxime Dutscher for the acquisition of a majority stake in Dutscher group, the leading independent distributor of R&D laboratory consumables and equipments in Europe. The transaction would take place alongside the management team led by Dominique Wencker.

Founded in 1982 and based in Brumath (near Strasbourg, France), Dutscher group generates revenues of around €240 million and employs more than 700 people across nine European countries.

The acquisition would be completed in the second quarter of the year following the consultation with employee representative bodies and after receiving the necessary approvals from relevant competition authorities.

The Shearman & Sterling team was led by partner Thomas Philippe (Paris-M&A/PE) and included associates Marion Bruère and Elodie Pieraggi (both Paris-M&A/PE); associate Charles Filleux-Pommerol (Paris-Tax) on the tax aspect; partner Pierre-Nicolas Ferrand (Paris-Finance), associates Yaëlle Cohen and Mariam Sadqi (Paris-Finance) on the financings aspects. The team was also supported by partner Simon Burrows (London-M&A/PE) and counsel Sam Whitaker (London-Compensation, Governance & ERISA).