Bird & Bird has a group dedicated to the industry with expertise in a wide range of matters, including corporate, commercial, IP, IT, tax, employment, regulatory, compliance and real estate matters. The firm is especially strong in relation to the automotive sector, with experience in innovative aspects of the industry such as autonomous driving. It also utilises its international footprint to assist clients on cross-border disputes involving a broad number of jurisdictions. Stefano Silvestri spearheads the practice, advising on M&A matters for major global organisations and financial investors.
Industry focus: Manufacturing in Italy
Bird & Bird
Practice head(s):
Stefano Silvestri
Testimonials
‘Expertise in IP law and in IP Italian dispute resolution matters.’
‘They explore new solutions with a practical and business driven approach.’
Key clients
BMW Group
Crocs
Flex-n-Gate Corporation
Giulio Fiocchi
Ledworks
Metalco Group
Shiloh Industries
Smiths Detection Italia
Solgar – Hino
VF International
Work highlights
- Assisting Giulio Fiocchi S.p.A. and Charme Capital Partners SGR S.p.A. in the sale of a majority stake in the holding company that controls Fiocchi Munizioni S.p.A. to an Italian company controlled by CSG Group.
- Advising Flex-N-Gate Corporation in the acquisition of AMS OSRAM AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING SYSTEMS ITALIA S.R.L.
- Assisting VF International SAGL and VF Italia S.r.l. in a complex cross-border litigation involving the protection of the distinctive shapes and characteristics of the Napapijri brand’s garments and acts of unfair competition carried out to the detriment of the VF Group.
Gianni & Origoni
Gianni & Origoni fields a multidisciplinary team, with expertise in M&A, litigation, finance, labour, IP, employment, compliance, restructuring and insolvency. The firm draws clients from across industry sectors at the national and international level. Luca Jeantet is noted for his commercial and insolvency advisory work for financial institutions, investors and creditors. Gabriella Covino assists domestic and multinational companies in private M&A and joint ventures. Oliviero Pessi also complements the team with his experience in commercial and corporate law.
Other key lawyers:
Luca Jeantet; Gabriella Covino; Oliviero Pessi
Key clients
BOOST S.p.A.
Calzaturificio Novarese
Cartiere di Guarcino
Egger Holzwerkstoffe GmbH
Paskal Technologies Agricultural
Safilo Group
Sotralu Group
Sugherificio Ganau
Technoprobe S.p.A.
Work highlights
- Assisting Technoprobe S.p.A., a leading Italian manufacturer in the design and production of probe cards, in the listing of its ordinary shares on Euronext Milan regulated market, with the simultaneous delisting from the trading on Euronext Growth Milan multilateral trading facility.
- Assisting Egger Holzwerkstoffe GmbH in the acquisition of a controlling stake in S.A.I.B. S.p.A., one of the leading manufacturers and distributors of wood-based products in Italy.
- Assisting the Sotralu Group, one of the leading manufacturers of accessories for aluminium doors and windows, in the acquisition of FR Accessories in Italy.
Chiomenti
Chiomenti is well placed to advise investors on transactions within the manufacturing sectors, including the relevant regulations. It is also home to specialists in IP, tax and restructuring. The firm is accustomed to working at the domestic and international level. The multidisciplinary nature of the firm also allows it to draw on professional with the requisite expertise for each of its clients’ matters. Luca Andrea Frignani, whose speciality is extraordinary transactions and contractual matters, leads the practice alongside Massimiliano Nitti, who assists clients from across the globe in private and public M&A matters.
Key clients
Stevanato Group S.p.A.
Investindustrial Group Holdings S.à r.l.
Feralpi Holding S.p.A.
Full Fortune Wealth Limited
Castor S.p.A.
ASM International NV
Polynt-Reichhold
JT International
Toyota
Opel
BMW
CBG Acciai S.p.A.
PHOENIX Pharmahandel GmbH & Co KG
SIT S.p.A.
Coronet S.p.A. and Veroverde S.r.l.
Sperlari S.r.l.
U-Earth Biotech Ltd
Finpanaria S.p.A.
Arix
Zobele family
Montini S.p.A.
Italpannelli Germany
Siac S.p.A.
Ciments Francais – Italcementi S.p.A.
Billerud
Artsana S.p.A.
Work highlights
- Advising ASM International NV as purchaser, in relation to the M&A cross border transaction concerning the acquisition by the client of, among other things, the entire share capital of LPE S.p.A.
- Advising JT lnternational Italia S.r.l., the Italian subsidiary of the leading global tobacco manufacturer, in the assessment on the opportunity for the latter to adopt an Organization, Management and Control model under Legislative Decree no. 231/2001 governing corporate criminal liability.
- Advising ItalPannelli, in the framework of a complex extraordinary operation, assistance in all the IP matters and, in particular the assistance has also involved the drafting and negotiation of (i) a transfer of trademarks and domain names; (ii) a license agreement.
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has broad expertise in the industry, advising domestic and multinational clients on corporate, finance, tax, litigation and antitrust matters. Matteo Montanaro focuses his practice on cross-border and domestic acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and mergers. Ferdinando Emanuele supplements this with his extensive expertise in dispute resolution, advising on national and international litigation and arbitration. Matteo Beretta adds to the practice further with a focus on EU and Italian antitrust law.
Practice head(s):
Matteo Montanaro; Ferdinando Emanuele; Matteo Beretta
Testimonials
‘Great quality. Mix of in-depth analysis and pragmatic and timely responses. ’
‘Matteo Montanaro has experience and pragmatism.’
Key clients
Acciaieri d’Italia
ArcelorMittal
Samsung
Natuzzi
Smurfit Kappa
Iveco
Sogefi
Agrati
ABB
CNH Industrial
Oerlikon
Work highlights
- Counselling Smurfit Kappa Italia in relation to an investigation by the ICA concerning two alleged cartels in the corrugated cardboard industry, the ensuing appeal phases as well as in the context of civil claims for follow-on damages.
- Assisting with the negotiation and signing of an extension and amendment to the 2018 business lease and sale agreement with Ilva, in connection with the then upcoming expiry of the term of the lease and long-stop date.
- Advised Samsung in one of the first cases regarding planned obsolescence conduct in Italy.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper maintains a dedicated practice in the manufacturing space. Its clients include manufacturers from across industry sectors including appliance and consumer electronics, aviation, automotive and consumer goods. The firm is knowledgeable of the different types of matters affecting the manufacturing industry, from corporate to regulatory. Alessandro Piermanni, who leads the firm’s practice, has wide-sweeping experience in domestic and international M&A matters. In the practice, Danilo Surdi assists further with cross-border M&A matters and has a niche advising on the sale or acquisition of family-owned businesses.
Practice head(s):
Alessandro Piermanni
Other key lawyers:
Danilo Surdi
Testimonials
‘Any advice provided by the team is always reliable, business-focused and timely.’
‘They have demonstrated great flexibility and expertise over the years also managing complex negotiations. They exceeded any clients’ expectations.’
‘Availability, flexibility and responsiveness characterise the approach of Alessandro Piremanni.’
‘Sira Franzini has the ability to understand the clients needs and think outside the box in order to satisfy them. Sira is the future star of the M&A sector.’
‘High levels of professionalism and great willingness to understand the context.’
Key clients
Alfanar Group
Ariston Thermo
Cantel Medical
Carlo Colombo
Comecer
Compugroup Medical
FAAC Group
Feralpi
Finproject
Gea Group
Novellini S.p.A.
Feralpi Group
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
Natixis
APE Officine S.r.l.
Air Ocean Cargo
Steris Group
Work highlights
- Assisted Officine Maccaferri, an Italian civil engineering, geotechnical and environmental construction company at the head of a group of more than 70 companies, in the arrangement with creditors in continuity approved by the Court of Bologna.
- Advising a Leading industrial technology company on its acquisition of an Italian group specializing in the integration of navigation systems and ship automation for the mega- and maxi-yacht market.
- Assisting Labanalysis Environmental Science, an Italian company specializing in environmental testing with a team of more than 500 specialists and 14 offices throughout Italy, in its joint venture with Eni Rewind, an environmental company of the Eni group.
Pavia e Ansaldo
Pavia e Ansaldo advises clients in the industry on a wide array of matter types, from corporate and private equity to IP and tax. The firm is also familiar with representing clients in dispute resolution matters concerning manufacturing. Its expertise expands beyond Italy’s borders, with the ability to advise on multi-jurisdictional issues for its clients. Stefano Bianchi, in addition to leading the practice, advises manufacturers and private equity funds on matters spanning the spectrum of corporate and transactional issues.
Practice head(s):
Stefano Bianchi
Testimonials
‘Highest level of competence.’
‘The team is professional and experienced and is really the best to assist the client.’
‘Highly proactive thinking, great knowledge of subject matters and counterparties, pragmatic problem solving, timing. ’
Key clients
Basell Poliolefine
Brugg Cables
Berlin Packaging Italy S.p.A.
Cale Group
Coventya Group
Fomas Sp.A.
IPCO
LB Officine Meccaniche S.r.l.
EXYTE Italy S.r.l.
Saica Flex Italia S.p.A.
Saica Pack Italia S.p.A.
Saica SA
SKF Industrie S.p.A.
Surfaces Technological Abrasives S.p.A.
Tecno Pool
Valvitalia S.p.A
Work highlights
- Advised SAICA, a Spanish multinational operating in the manufacture of paper and recycled paper, on acquisition of a stake in Cartorobica S.p.a. and Adda Ondulati S.p.a., Italian companies dedicated to the manufacture of packaging.
- Advised Xenon Private equity on the sale of 75% of MinervaHub, the industrial hub that brings together excellence in the made-in-Italy supply chain for the luxury market.
- Advised Allied International group on its acquisition of Petrol Raccord, a company active in the production of fittings for the oil & gas and power sectors.