Superior Industries starting takeover of German Uniwheels AG
A team led by Dr. Guido Hoffmann, LL.M., comprehensively advised Superior Industries, one of the largest manufacturers of aluminum wheels for light vehicles, on a takeover bid for German wheel manufacturer Uniwheels AG. The advice focused on structuring the transaction, on matters pertaining to corporate law, employment law, and commercial law, and on due diligence. The takeover bid is for 100% of the outstanding Uniwheels shares with the agreement by the owner of 61% of the shares. The takeover is subject to the condition that Superior will acquire at least 75% of the shares in Uniwheels AG. The transaction has a volume of some $712 million and is expected to be completed by the end of May 2017.
The merger of the two companies will create one of the world's largest producers of aluminum wheels with total production capacity of more than 20 million light-alloy wheels per year. According to Superior Industries, the existing Uniwheels locations in Europe are to be retained.
Superior Industries International, Inc., traded on Wall Street, is based in Southfield, USA, and is the largest manufacturer of aluminum wheels for passenger cars and light-duty vehicles in North America. The company supplies the original equipment market with aluminum wheels. Its customers include BMW, Ford, Tesla, Toyota, and Volkswagen.
Uniwheels AG is the third largest supplier of OEM wheels for the automotive industry in Europe and a leading manufacturer of light-alloy wheels for the European aftermarket. It is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The company includes brands such as ATS, RIAL, ALUTEC, or ANZIO. It has three production facilities in Poland and one in Germany.
Counsel to Superior Industries
Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek:
Dr. Guido Hoffmann, LL.M. (Lead, Corporate/M&A),
Dr. Marc P. Scheunemann, LL.M. (Corporate/Tax), both Düsseldorf
Boris Dürr,
Marcel Greubel (both Corporate/M&A), both Munich
Christoph Hexel,
Dr. Alexander Bork (both Employment), both Düsseldorf
Dr. Reinhard Siegert (Commercial/Antitrust), Munich
Dr. Anton Horn (IP/IT), Düsseldorf
