The Legal 500

The owners of Prenax Global AB have sold their shares in the company to ARTS ET BIENS, an investment firm based in France founded by the Lévy family.

Valedo’s portfolio company Akademikliniken has made an add-on acquisition in Sweden and Norway by acquiring Ellipse Klinikken from Reiten.

Jan and Stefan Bengtsson have divested the privately-held Swedish investment company Ekstranda to restaurant entrepreneur PG Nilsson.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised MediaTek Group, a market leading semiconductor company for wireless communications and digital multimedia solutions, in relation to its acquisition of Coresonic AB, a company which has developed a completely new and ground-breaking DSP architecture for wireless basebands which constitutes the central element of all digital communications.

For the fourth consecutive year, Mannheimer Swartling, in co-operation with Stockholm University, hosted a pre-moot to the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot as law students representing universities from ten countries across Europe converged in Stockholm to compete against each other in a fictive international arbitration case.

Nordea has entered into an agreement with Pembroke Real Estate concerning the development of properties located in Stockholm’s central business district (CBD). Nordea will continue as the dominant tenant of the properties. The new building is expected to be completed no later than 2016 and the new development and the lease agreement are conditioned on requisite regulatory approvals being obtained.

Hexagon AB has established a Swedish commercial paper programme. The programme enables Hexagon to issue commercial papers up to a value of SEK 5 billion. Arranger of the programme is Nordea and dealers are Danske Bank, Handelsbanken, Nordea, SEB and Swedbank. In connection with establishing the programme, Hexagon has entered a SEK 2.5 billion back-up facility.

In February 2012 Greece received a USD 171.9 billion rescue package from the European Central Bank and private sector investors holding portions of the country’s sovereign debt agreed to restructure their bonds. The rescue package and debt resettlement deal came with several conditions for Greece, including an obligation for Greece to reduce its debt to approximately 120.5 percent of gross domestic product. The effort to restructure Greece’s debt represents one of the largest sovereign workouts since 1900.

Lindab has extended SEK 3 billion of an existing multi-currency revolving credit facility with Nordea and Handelsbanken until February 2015.

Stamford Law holds the distinction of being Singapore's top M&A law firm in Asia Pacific Ex-Japan. This ranking was drawn from Bloomberg's M&A Legal Advisory League Tables by volume for M&A Deals. The Bloomberg M&A Advisory League Tables are the definitive publication for M&A advisory rankings. With other local law firms trailing behind, the value of Stamford Law's M&A deals at US$1.2 billion is the highest by a Singaporean law firm in the first quarter of this year for deals that were announced between January 1 and March 21. This distinction also translates to Stamford Law being the top Singaporean Law firm represented in the South East Asian M&A Legal Advisory League Tables for deals by volume. In addition to this, Stamford Law is the top Singaporean law firm in the Asia Pacific Private Equity table.

On Saturday 31 March at 8.30pm Earth Hour 2012 takes place. Earth Hour is a global climate change event arranged by WWF. During Earth Hour, individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the world turn off their lights for one hour in a symbolic act intended to raise awareness of climate change issues and to encourage the world’s leaders to act.

Kaj Hobér appointed Professor of International Investment and Trade Law at Uppsala University; unique interdisciplinary and jurisprudential research programme launched.

AxLoad has acquired the majority of the shares in Mennens Group from De Hoge Dennen Capital, a Dutch privately held investment company. Mennens will become a part of Certex Group, the largest of AxLoad’s three divisions.

Green Cargo has agreed to divest Green Cargo Logistics, including the associated buildings and real property, to PostNord.

Capio AB receives renewed contract in the public procurement carried out by Stockholm County Council regarding the operation of St. Göran’s Hospital. The new contract covers the period 2013-2021 with a right for the council to extend the contract for another four years. The annual contract value is approximately SEK 1.3 billion (EUR 145 million).

European Uranium Resources Ltd. (formerly Tournigan Energy Ltd), a company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, has acquired a number of uranium exploration licenses in Sweden and Finland from Mawson Resources Ltd.

Mannheimer Swartling is pleased to announce that it was named ”Law Firm of the Year: Sweden” at the International Financial Law Review (IFLR) European Awards 2012 ceremony held 22 March in London. This is the sixth time in eight years that the firm has received this award.

Skandia Liv has completed the acquisition of Skandia AB from Old Mutual for SEK 22.5 billion.

Mannheimer Swartling features once again in the GAR100, Global Arbitration Review’s listing of the world’s most prominent international arbitration practices and the GAR30, a ranking of the world’s 30 most active arbitration law firms.

Preem and Norwegian Skangass have entered into a partnering agreement and ancillary agreements regarding the construction of Scandinavia’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal next to Preem’s refinery in Lysekil on the west coast of Sweden. The investment is estimated at approximately SEK 700 million. Skangass will operate the LNG terminal which is expected to supply Preemraff with approximately 200,000 tonnes of LNG per year. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013.

MCB Finance Group plc has established a SEK 500 million secured note programme through its newly formed Swedish subsidiary MCB Treasury AB.

tenth consecutive year in Universum survey

For the tenth year in a row, Mannheimer Swartling has been ranked as the most popular law firm to work for by law students in Sweden. Universum’s FöretagsBarometer (The Swedish Student Survey) is the largest survey conducted annually at all the leading universities in Sweden. 

BioInvent International AB (publ), a research-based pharmaceutical company focused on developing antibody drugs, is carrying out a rights issue with preferential right for the company’s shareholders.

Mannheimer Swartling has been ranked in the Chambers and Partners’ Asia-Pacific guide among the mid market international firms in M&A and Corporate. Mannheimer Swartling is the only Swedish law firm mentioned in the guide.

Mannheimer Swartling’s Hans Hammarbäck and Fredrik Svensson were recognised as winners within Insurance & Reinsurance law in Sweden and Capital Markets law in Russia, respectively, at the International Law Office (ILO) Client Choice Awards 2012 held in London on 22 February.

Novax has acquired a 60 per cent ownership stake in RCO, a leading provider of electronic access control products and solutions on the Swedish market. The sellers will continue as owners alongside Novax.

The Sixth Swedish National Pension Fund (Sixth AP Fund) and the other shareholders in STT Condigi Holding AB have sold their holding to Tunstall Healthcare Group, a leading telecare and telehealth provider based in the UK.

Trelleborg and Freudenberg have agreed to form a joint venture to produce antivibration solutions for light and heavy vehicles. At year-end 2010, the total annual sales of the entities that are to form the joint venture were estimated at EUR 1.2 billion, with 8,100 employees in 17 countries. Completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of the relevant competition authorities.

SKF has re-negotiated its agreement with HP regarding the outsourcing of its information technology business on a global basis.

The British engineering group Langley Holdings plc has acquired the sheet fed printing division of bankrupt manroland AG. The acquisition of the division includes production facilities, real estate, and an international marketing organisation operating through more than 50 subsidiaries in over 40 countries.

Munters AB, owned by Nordic Capital, has acquired an air cooling and air treatment equipment business in Dongguan (Guangdong Province). The acquisition is aimed at facilitating the Group’s expansion in the Chinese market. The business was acquired from Dongguan Keda Electrical & Mechanical Equipments Co., Ltd, a Chinese private company and the parties will for a period run the business together.

Proffice AB has acquired the remaining shares in its subsidiary Dfind AB, which is a recruitment and staffing company specialised in information technology.

DCC Energy has agreed to acquire the Swedish company Swea Energi Holding AB from Viviann and Lennart Hansson for an initial purchase price of SEK 205 million. Completion of the acquisition is conditional on competition approval from the European Commission.

Mannheimer Swartling is pleased to announce its participation in a scholarship programme that will allow three Chinese law students to participate in The Master of International Commercial Arbitration Law programme (ICAL) at Stockholm University. Mannheimer Swartling is joined by Swedish law firms, Gernandt & Danielsson and Vinge, in donating the scholarships.

The Consort Group has acquired a hotel property out of receivership. The property is located in Berlin’s historic city centre and the four star hotel will continue to be operated by the Accor Group.

The Sixth Swedish National Pension Fund (Sixth AP Fund) and the other shareholders have sold their holding in Xelerated to Marvell.

Schibsted has made a public offer to acquire Aspiro. The offer values all outstanding shares in Aspiro at approximately SEK 340 million.

Alten S.A. has agreed to acquire Enea Services Öresund AB, Enea‘s technology consulting business in Sweden with approximately 300 co-workers in Stockholm, Lund and Linköping. Enea AB (publ) is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm.

Overseas Telecom, the majority shareholder of Suntel Limited, has divested its share in Suntel Limited to Dialog Broadband Networks (Private) Limited. The transaction, which include all shares in the company, is expected to close in March 2012

Sweco has signed an agreement to acquire the Finnish engineering consultancy FMC Group with annual sales of EUR 80 million and around 1,100 employees.

Hexpol has acquired the German company Horst Müller Kunststoffe GmbH & Co.KG for EUR 39 million on a cash and debt free basis. Horst Müller Kunststoffe is a leading Central European manufacturer of thermoplastic elastomer compounds (TPE Compounding). It has around 90 employees and an estimated annual turnover of EUR 46 million.

Munters has acquired a majority share in the Israeli company Rotem Computerized Controllers (1994) Limited. Rotem is specialized in control and management systems for agricultural and horticultural applications and a leading company worldwide.

Capio Specialistkliniker has acquired Centrum för Titthålskirurgi, a private specialist clinic that performs operations with focus on overweight surgery.

The Stockholm Public Transport Authority (Sw. Stockholms Lokaltrafik, “SL”) has awarded the international transport group Arriva two contracts valued at approximately SEK 16 billion over the full contract term.

PostNord AB has signed a multi-currency revolving facility for SEK 2 billion with a consortium of Nordic banks. The facility matures in 2016.

Stena Renewable AB has, through its wholly owned subsidiary Lemnhult Energi AB, entered into a turbine supply agreement and an agreement on service and maintenance regarding 32 wind turbine generators to be erected in Lemnhult, Municipality of Vetlanda, with Vestas Northern Europe AB. The agreements include delivery, erection and 15 years of service of the wind turbines in Lemnhult.

Mannheimer Swartling partner Ulf Ohrling has been elected Chairman of the Board of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (SwedCham). SwedCham, founded in 1986, provides important information and networking opportunities to Swedish and Swedish-related companies in Hong Kong and offers a forum for exchanging experiences with companies already established in the region.

The Riverside Company has acquired the PPS Group, an independent school operator in Sweden, from its founding management, who will remain owners alongside Riverside for the next phase of PPS’s development.

Mannheimer Swartling is advising Mohammed Al Amoudi and FastPartner AB (publ) as well as their jointly owned bidding company on its mandatory bid for Allenex AB (publ).

Telenor, Telia, Tele2 and 3 have formed a joint venture to provide a mobile payments service. The company is equally owned by Telenor, Telia, Tele2 and 3 and will operate as a commercial venture.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Facebook Inc and its Swedish subsidiary Pinnacle Sweden AB in the establishment and construction of a data centre in Luleå, Sweden. This is Facebook first data centre outside the United States and it will be the largest data centre of its kind in Europe.

Wrapp, the new social gifting service, has received a round of Series A funding led by Atomico, the international venture capital firm formed by Niklas Zennström. Zennström will also be joining Wrapp's board of directors.

Sandvik has made a recommended public offer to acquire all remaining shares in its subsidiary Seco Tools AB. The total offer value for all shares in Seco Tools, not held by Sandvik, is approximately SEK 6.2 billion. The offer values Seco Tools in its entirety at approximately SEK 15.6 billion.

The founders of Bovieran have been joined by Fastighets AB Balder in their ownership of Bovieran, a Swedish real property development company that develops and builds housing for senior citizens.

Mannheimer Swartling is pleased to announce that it has elected Emil Boström, Lucas Jonsson and Kristoffer Löf as partners of the firm, effective 1 January 2012.

3i has divested its stake in Sweden-based retail chain, TeknikMagasinet, to SEB Venture Capital. TeknikMagasinet has approximately 100 stores in the Nordic region selling consumer electronics and gadgets. The group has 460 employees and net sales of approximately SEK 670 million.

Green Cargo has sold its road haulage subsidiary, Green Cargo Åkeri, to a new joint venture owned by Hans Paridon, the division’s former managing director, and Swedish Match.

Mannheimer Swartling has once again been named “Clients’ Choice” in the annual client survey “Klientbarometern”. This is the eighth consecutive year that the firm has been selected “Clients’ Choice” in business law.

The Swedish Competition Authority has approved the merger of Swedish dairy processor Milko and Arla Foods, clearing the way for Arla to control Milko’s volume share in Swedish raw milk after the official merger on 1 November 2011.

Unilever has agreed to acquire Ingman Ice Cream Oy Ab. Ingman is the major, enduring domestic ice cream producer in the Finnish market since Valio divested its ice cream production to Nestlé in 2004. The completion of the acquisition is contingent on securing approval from the relevant competition authorities.

APM Terminals has acquired Skandia Container Terminal AB and will take over the operation of the container terminal in the port of Gothenburg. Skandia Container Terminal AB was acquired from Göteborg Port Operation AB, a company controlled by the municipality of Gothenburg. In connection with the transaction, a concession agreement will be entered into concerning the operation of the terminal and related infrastructure. The acquisition is subject to approval of the relevant competition authorities.

SEMAFO has completed a secondary listing of its common shares on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm exchange in Sweden. SEMAFO’s shares started trading on the Large Cap segment of NASDAQ OMX Stockholm on 20 October 2011. The market capitalization of SEMAFO corresponds to approximately SEK 13 billion.

Unilever has agreed to acquire Ingman Ice Cream Oy Ab. Ingman is the major, enduring domestic ice cream producer in the Finnish market since Valio divested its ice cream production to Nestlé in 2004. The completion of the acquisition is contingent on securing approval from the relevant competition authorities.

Ballingslöv International has acquired Macro International, a leading shower systems manufacturer in Sweden and Norway.

Exirgruppen AB has merged its Swedish and Hungarian operations with the Arkivator group. The merger has been effected through an exchange of shares whereby Exirgruppen AB has become a shareholder of Arkivator Holding AB alongside IGC Industrial Growth Company AB.

Getinge has agreed to acquire Atrium Medical Inc., a US-based company primarily focused on the cardiovascular market, from a group of private investors for approximately USD 680 million. The acquisition is being financed through the use of existing credit facilities and a new form of credit in the shape of a bridge loan of USD 300 million. The completion of the acquisition is contingent on securing approval from the relevant competition authorities.

Publicis Groupe has acquired all assets of the PR and communications company Schwartz Communications, Inc., including its UK and Swedish subsidiaries. The company, founded by Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz in 1990, has 180 employees in Boston, San Francisco, Stockholm and London.

Swedish shipping company Stena RoRo AB has won enforcement proceedings against the Russian shipyard Baltiysky Zavod JSC and related nullification proceedings before the Russian courts.

Kungsleden has divested two commercial properties in Johanneshov/Stockholm to S:t Erik Markutveckling AB, a company indirectly owned by the Municipality of Stockholm. The value of the properties is SEK 279 million.

Skrindan, owned by Altor and Bure, has finalised the process of finding a long term owner of Norrvidden, the largest real estate company in Northern Sweden. The company owns app. 220 real properties totalling app. 840 000 sqm.

Einar Mattsson Fastighetsaktiebolag, among others, and Einar Mattsson Byggnads Aktiebolag have entered into an agreement regarding the management of real properties owned by the group. The Einar Mattsson-group’s property portfolio consists of 81 real properties in Stockholm with a total value of SEK 5.7 billion.

G&L Beijer has acquired operations from Carrier Corporation that handle the distribution of Toshiba’s ventilation, heating and air conditioning products in eleven European countries for approximately EUR 86 million.

Proventus, Foundation Asset Management and Folksam (Folksam Liv, Folksam Sak and KPA Pensionsförsäkring) become equal owners in PWP AB, one of Sweden’s largest on-shore wind power producers, following Proventus’ sale of shares to new owner Folksam and current owner Foundation Asset Management.

Sunningdale Tech Ltd is a leading manufacturer of precision plastic components and is listed on the Main Board of the Singapore Exchange. Sunningdale Tech has more than 7,000 employees and operates across five countries. Sunningdale has through its subsidiary Sunningdale Tech (Europe) Holding Pte. Ltd. acquired ATEC of Sweden AB and Latvian AS ATEC from Plasticscommerce Pte Ltd.

Global Arbitration Review (GAR) has named Robin Oldenstam, partner at Mannheimer Swartling and head of the firm’s Dispute Resolution practice, in its ‘45 under 45’ list of  leading figures in international arbitration under the age of 45. He is the first and only lawyer from Scandinavia to be included on this global list of leading practitioners since it was inaugurated in 2006.

G&L Beijer has agreed to acquire United Refrigeration’s wholesale operations in France and UK.  The acquisition in France relates to Cofriset, and the acquisition in UK relates to United Refrigeration (UK).

Manual for applying the Swedish Corporate Governance Code – 2011 edition available

Docu Group has acquired the Sverige Bygger group from Talentum.

Sverige Bygger is the market-leading provider of information and marketing services for the construction industry in Scandinavia. Docu Group is controlled by GMT Communications Partners, a European TMT¬focused private equity group.

The Carlyle Group and Providence Equity Partners have agreed to divest Com Hem, Sweden’s leading TV, broadband and telephony company, to BC Partners, an international private equity firm. Completion is expected in September 2011 subject to receiving EU regulatory approval.

Olcon Engineering AB has sold Dynasafe International AB to Perusa Partners Fund 1, L.P.

E.ON Gas Sverige AB has divested its gas transmission business, including pipelines and ancillary facilities for energy gas transmission, to Swedegas, a company held by EQT Infrastructure. 

OJSC Saint-Petersburg Telecom, a subsidiary of Tele2 Russia Holding AB, has closed a debut bond issue of RUB 13 billion. The issuer's liabilities under the offering will be covered by irrevocable undertakings from Tele2 Russia Holding AB and Tele2 Financial Services AB. Raiffeisen Bank and VTB Capital acted as lead arrangers and book-runners.

Getinge AB entered into a new Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility Agreement of EUR 1.2 billion with an international syndicate of banks.

Proffice has acquired Komet, a temporary staffing and recruitment company focusing on university and college students with approximately 600 consultants, from Constallation Group.

AarhusKarlshamn (AAK) has acquired the Golden Foods/Golden Brands business of Louisville, Kentucky, the leading North American processor of speciality fats and oils and manufacturer of shortenings for the bakery and food service industries.

Systemair has completed its previously announced acquisition of Ventrade, a Russian ventilation and air conditioning company.

LK Finans and SEB Venture Capital have jointly acquired Temperature Sensitive Solutions Systems Sweden AB (“TSS”) from the company’s founder, Michael Thelvén. TSS is a leading provider of products and services for temperature measuring and control of temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals during and after transport.

Royal Philips Electronics has agreed, subject to certain closing conditions, to acquire the mammography equipment product line of Sectra AB for EUR 57.5 million on a cash- and debt-free basis, with an additional possible earn-out of EUR 12.5 million.

AstraZeneca has agreed to sell Astra Tech AB to DENTSPLY International Inc for approximately USD 1.8 billion in cash, subject to regulatory clearance.

Skanska Infrastructure Development, wind park developer O2 and Jämtkraft are jointly investing in a project-financed wind park. The total investment amounts to approximately SEK 1.1 billion. Skanska’s holding amounts to 50 percent; the other parties own 25 percent each.

3i has divested Ålö, a global leader in agricultural front loaders, to Altor for SEK 2.2 billion.

BRIO AB and delisting of BRIO’s shares from NGM Equity 

Proventus Invest AB announced a public offer to the shareholders of BRIO AB (publ) on 10 March 2011. Proventus has thereafter requested compulsory acquisition of the remaining shares in BRIO and currently holds more than 99% of the shares in the company. BRIO’s shares were delisted from NGM Equity on 10 June 2011. 

Betsafe, a privately-held gaming company based on Malta, has been acquired by Betsson. The transaction values Betsafe at a maximum of EUR 60 million, based on an up-front purchase price of EUR 32.5 million and a contingent, additional purchase price of up to EUR 27.5 million.

BioInvent International AB (publ) announced on 1 June 2011 that the company, by virtue of the authorization by the annual general meeting on 24 March 2011, have completed a private placement of new shares through an accelerated bookbuilding procedure. The private placement provides the company with approximately SEK 136 million before transactions costs.

Industrifonden and Sustainable Technologies Fund have co-invested SEK 100 million in Triventus. Triventus is active in renewable energy, primarily wind power, but also biogas and small-scale hydroelectric power. Triventus has experienced rapid growth since being formed in 2003 and had a turnover of SEK 500 million in 2010.

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (“RBS”) has completed a refinancing and acquired all the shares in the shopping mall company Centeni AB (former Boultbee Group Stockholm) on 6 May 2011. RBS is now the sole owner of the Centeni group.

Unilever Sverige has agreed to divest Opus Health Care to Segulah IV, L.P.

(2011-03-16)

For the ninth year in a row, law students in Sweden selected Mannheimer Swartling as the law firm they would like to work for most.

Proventus establishes Proventus Capital Partners II, a vehicle for investments in corporate loans and bonds

(2011-05-11) 

Chambers Europe presents André Andersson with an ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award and names Mannheimer Swartling ‘Best Swedish Firm of the Year’

(2011-05-06) 

(2011-05-05)

Invest B2B A/S has divested its portfolio consisting of 32 properties located in Berlin to a joint venture of Austrian investors for a purchase price exceeding € 75 million.

Skanska is selling its 50-percent ownership in Autopista Central, a public-private partnership (PPP) highway concession located in Santiago, Chile, to Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo), a Canadian institutional management firm managing funds on behalf of the Province of Alberta, certain public pension and endowments.

(2011-05-05)

Valedo Partners has acquired a majority stake in Akademikliniken, the leading Swedish aesthetic and reconstructive surgery group and operator of one of the world’s leading aesthetic surgery clinics.

(2011-05-05)

International Game Technology (“IGT”) has announced a recommended cash offer to the shareholders in Entraction Holding AB (“Entraction”) corresponding to a total offer value of SEK 700 million.

(2011-05-04)

Accent Equity has acquired 50 percent of Hoist AB. The founders, Malcolm Lindblom and Christopher Upmark, will hold the remaining shares.

(2011-04-29)

Sandvik Mining and Construction and Shandong Energy Machinery Co. in Xintai, Shandong Province, China, have signed an agreement to form a 50/50 owned joint venture for the production and sale of coal mining equipment.

2011-04-28)

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (SEB) has provided EUR 25 million in secured real estate financing to a Swedish real estate company with branches in Russia. The funding provided is intended for properties located in Kaliningrad and Murmansk.

(2011-04-26)

A new issue of the newsletter German News Flash is released, the newsletter that covers what happens on the German market for a Swedish and German audience. The newsletter is in English.

(2011-04-20)

The US company Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation has acquired all shares in TranSiC AB from, among others, Volvo Technology Transfer AB, Stiftelsen Industrifonden and Midroc New Technology AB.

(2011-04-19)

Volvo Bus Corporation and SAIC Motors, a company in the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), have agreed to form Shanghai Green Bus Drive System Co, a joint venture company focused on new energy driveline systems for buses such as hybrids and electric buses. The new company will be owned by SAIC with 60% and by Volvo with 40%.

(2011-04-14)

Stena Bulk has entered into a joint venture with the Danish shipping company Dannebrog Rederi and acquired 50 percent of the shares in Stena Weco. Stena Weco will operate the Weco Shipping product tanker business previously held by Dannebrog Rederi and will initially have a fleet of approximately 30 product tankers. Stena Bulk will contribute its extensive experience of tanker operations and resources to Stena Weco.

(2011-04-11)

GMT Communications Partners has agreed to acquire the legal and tax & accounting businesses of Thomson Reuters in Denmark and Sweden.

(2011-04-04)

AMF Pensionsförsäkring AB has reached an agreement with the Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund to acquire fifty percent of the shares in Dombron Intressenter AB  and thereby indirectly a real estate portfolio with a total underlying property value of SEK 6 billion. The portfolio of approximately 80 properties consists of residential and student properties primarily located in Gothenburg, Stockholm and Uppsala.

(2011-03-29)

Eiendomsverdi AS has acquired a majority stake in Värderingsdata i Kungsbacka AB. Both companies develop and deliver IT systems and software primarily for monitoring market developments in the real estate industries in Norway and Sweden, respectively.

(2011-03-29)

The board of directors of Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (publ) has resolved on a new share issue with preferential rights for the company’s shareholders of approximately SEK 600 million. The rights issue is subject to approval by the annual general meeting to be held on April 28, 2011.

(2011-03-25)

Trelleborg AB and Trelleborg Treasury AB have signed a new five year multi-currency revolving credit facility for EUR 750 million and USD 625 million with a consortium of international banks. The facility will be used for partial repayment of an existing facility as well as for general corporate purposes.

(2011-03-21)

The Nordic supplier of ground handling to the airline industry, Aviator, has entered into an agreement regarding the purchase of Novia and its ground handling operations at Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) and at Malmö Airport (Sturup).

(2011-03-18)

Bankernas Automatbolag has entered into a seven-year outsourcing agreement with EDB ErgoGroup. The agreement, valued at close to SEK 1 billion, entails that Bankernas Automatbolag will purchase ATM services from EDB ErgoGroup for the operation of approximately 2,800 ATM’s in Sweden, including administration, software management, transaction processing, settlement and operational monitoring.

(2011-03-17)

The Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) has applied for permission to build the world’s first final repository of spent nuclear fuel. An application filed under the Environmental Code has been submitted to the Environmental Court at Nacka District Court in Sweden. SKB has also filed an application in compliance with the Swedish Nuclear Activities Act with the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM).

(2011-03-16)

Mannheimer Swartling appears once again in the GAR30, Global Arbitration Review’s ranking of the world’s leading law firms in the area of international arbitration. 

Norrporten HAC GmbH has agreed to lease over 4,600 square meters of the "Hamburg America Center" office property in HafenCity in Hamburg to Buss Group GmbH & Co. KG. Buss, a logistics company based in Hamburg, has operations that include port logistics, development of logistics facilities and the establishment and investment of container funds.

Mannheimer Swartling is advising SEMAFO Inc. in exploring the possibility of a secondary listing on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Kungsleden AB in connection with the divestment of its retirement homes portfolio in Germany to Hemsö Fastighets AB.

RusForest AB has completed the acquisition of 86 percent of OAO LDK-3 and 100 percent of OOO Infa.

DFDS and C.PORTS SA have jointly acquired Älvsborg Ro/Ro AB and will take over operations of the ro/ro terminal in the Port of Gothenburg. In connection with the acquisition, Älvsborg and the Port of Gothenburg have entered into a 25-year concession agreement, concerning the operation of the terminal and related infrastructure. Subject to the approval of the competition authorities, the transaction leads to two of the port's largest customers taking over the ro/ro terminal.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised the Ford Motor Company on the sale of Volvo and its assets to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group for USD 1.8 billion.

KF Fastigheter has acquired parts of the trade area Mobilia in Lund, and will together with Arne Paulssons Byggnads AB develop the area, including i.a. a Coop supermarket. KF Fastigheter has in connection herewith sold a larger property in central Lund to Paulssons. Mannheimer Swartling advised KF Fastigheter.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised the owners in the sale of Kaul GmbH and UK-affiliate, Capol UK Ltd., to The Riverside Company.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Proventus in connection with the establishment of Proventus Capital Partners – a co-investment vehicle focusing on corporate loans and corporate bonds. The investment strategy for this vehicle also allows direct loans to companies and the ambition is to contribute with financing to mid-sized companies in need of capital for growth or restructuring when these companies are unable to secure traditional bank financing.

Protego Real Estate Investors has been advised by Mannheimer Swartling on the sale of twelve retail properties situated throughout Sweden for a total value of approximately SEK 210 million.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised the Teracom Group in the divestiture of its subsidiary Comet Networks to CSIT. Comet Networks operates the Group's broadband business, currently reaching more than 650,000 households and 80,000 businesses in approximately 50 municipalities in Sweden.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Södra Timber in connection with its acquisition of Ittur Prefab Industrier AB, the parent company of the Trivselhus Group, one of Sweden’s leading producers of prefabricated homes. Closing is expected to take place on 1 October 2009. The transaction is subject to inter alia competition clearance.

Mannheimer Swartling has assisted Varian Medical Systems in entering into agreements for delivery of a proton therapy system to Skandionkliniken. The agreements include supply of an estimated USD 60 million in products. Varian Medical Systems will also have a five year service agreement valued at approximately USD 25 million. Skandionkliniken is the first clinical centre for proton therapy in Scandinavia and will have a capacity of treating 1,000 – 2,500 cancer patients per year. Varian Medical Systems is the world’s leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Wallhamn AB on matters related to gaining approval for expansion of the port’s fairway to facilitate access for larger cargo ships. The port, owned by the Italian-based Grimaldi Group, is used for RoRo cargo, mainly in relation to the import and export of vehicles. The matter involved negotiations and permitting approval from, among others, the Swedish Transport Agency as well as other authorities and concerned parties. The firm recently also advised the Grimaldi Group on its acquisition of 50 per cent of port Wallhamn from EUKOR Car Carriers Inc, making the Grimaldi Group the sole owner of port Wallhamn.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Stena Bulk AB in its new joint venture with Japanese shipping company Asahi Tankers. The joint venture company, Asahi Stena Tankers, will be owned 50/50 by the parties and will invest in tonnage of varying sizes, initially focusing on Suezmax tankers for global transportation of crude oil.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Skandia Liv on an agreement with DnB NOR to manage a portfolio of assets valued at approximately SEK 80 billion. The agreement replaces a previous asset management agreement between the parties and covers DnB NOR’s continued management of a portfolio of Swedish shares and interest and includes a number of special mandates, amongst others in tactical allocation and advice on “socially responsible investing.”

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Morphic Technologies on the divestiture of ScanWind to GE Energy. ScanWind is a Norwegian-Swedish developer and supplier of wind-turbines and services for the coastal onshore and offshore market. The value of the transaction is SEK 130 million and is expected to be completed early September.

Loan agreements were signed on 1 July 2009 between Iceland and Denmark, Finland and Sweden respectively, and between Seðlabanki Íslands, guaranteed by Iceland and Norges Bank, guaranteed by Norway. Under the agreements the Nordic lenders have agreed to provide Iceland with total credits of ca. EUR 1.8 billion. The loans will be provided in relation to and as a support of Iceland’s economic stabilisation and reform programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The loans are intended to strengthen Iceland’s foreign exchange reserves.

Mannheimer Swartling advised ICA AB and ICA Finans AB in connection with a SEK 5 billion multicurrency revolving credit facility agreement entered into between the companies and a syndicate of Nordic banks. Zoran Stambolovski was responsible for the transaction, assisted by Gustav Nygren and Ludvig Frithiof.

Mannheimer Swartling has assisted Gjensidige Forsikring in connection with its acquisition of Länsförsäkringar International from Länsförsäkringar. Länsförsäkringar International provides casco and property insurance in Latvia and Lithuania. Gjensidige is market leading in property insurance in Norway. The company had approximately NOK 17 billion in premium revenue in 2008.

Mannheimer Swartling has assisted Cegedim S.A. in connection with its acquisition of the Nomi Group from Bisnode AB. The Nomi Group provides different data bases and CRM-tools to the Nordic pharmaceutical industry.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised COWI A/S in its acquisition of the business of Flygfältsbyrån AB (through an acquisition of FB Engineering AB, FB Management AB and AEC Investment AB and their subsidiaries). The target companies are engaged in, inter alia, the business of providing technical consultancy and project management services and services within virtual product development and digital visualization. Flygfältsbyrån AB, with headquarters in Gothenburg, has more than 60 years of experience in the business and approximately 760 employees.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Stampen Media Partner AB in its acquisition of a majority position in the Mobiento group. Mobiento is the market leader in the Nordic mobile marketing business.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised the Sixth Swedish National Pension Fund (Sixth AP Fund) in the conversion of their shareholding in the R&D company Solibro AB for shares in Q-Cells SE, a German company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The Sixth AP Fund becomes the third largest shareholder in Q-Cells as a result of this transaction, which values the Sixth AP Fund's shareholding at approximately SEK 600 million.

Mannheimer Swartling is advising General Motors on the restructuring of its European operations, including i.a. the pooling of the Opel/Vauxhall assets under Adam Opel GmbH and the reorganization of Saab Automobile AB. Saab Automobile filed for a reorganization under Swedish Law in February 2009 and on June 17 the court in Vänersborg approved a 75 per cent writedown of Saab Automobile's more than SEK 10 billion of debt.

Nordea Bank Danmark A/S has been advised by Mannheimer Swartling in connection with the debt financing of SEK 460,000,000 of Synsam Service AB´s acquisition of Synsam optician stores throughout Sweden. The investors are Alipes AB and the selling store owners.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Södra Timber in its acquisition of Rörvik Timber’s pressure treatment plant in Åstorp. The company currently has an annual production permit for 150,000 cubic metres of pressure-treated timber.

Vattenfall and the Volvo Car Corporation are launching an industrial joint venture partnership to introduce plug-in hybrids on the market. The technology will considerably lower the environmental impact from traffic.

Gamla Livförsäkringsaktiebolaget SEB Trygg Liv enters property management agreement with Aberdeen Property Investors AB

Shine Group has acquired Metronome Film & Television, the Nordic region’s largest and most pre-eminent production group, responsible for a string of hit programmes, for SEK 719 million

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Crawford & Company on corporate legal matters and transactions relating to a reorganisation and restructuring of its operations in Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Telenor Sweden in establishing a joint venture with Tele2 Sweden to build and operate a 4G network. Telenor and Tele2 will be equal partners in the joint venture, Net4Mobility. The agreement also comprises spectrum sharing in the 900MHz and 2600MHz frequency bands, creating superior conditions for a nationwide 4G network in Sweden

Mannheimer Swartling has assisted Securitas in the update of its 1,5 billion euro Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) Programme listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and in connection with its issue of a 4-year, 500 million euro bond in the Eurobond market. The arranging banks were BNP Paribas, Nordea Bank Danmark A/S and Royal Bank of Scotland plc.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Sandvik in connection with a EUR 3,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme that was listed for trade on the London Stock Exchange in February 2009. Mannheimer Swartling has also advised Sandvik AB in connection with the first issue under the Programme in late February 2009.

Mannheimer Swartling has been advising on rights issues this year totaling more than SEK 50 billion. The firm has represented issuers and investors from both the public and private sector.

Autoliv has been advised by Mannheimer Swartling on matters concerning Swedish securities law and the Swedish securities market in connection with its offerings of common stock and equity units totalling $350 million. Autoliv plans to offer approximately $200 million in the form of common stock and $150 million in the form of equity units in underwritten public offerings in the U.S.

Ericsson has been advised by Mannheimer Swartling in the sale of its TEMS-branded products business to Ascom. With the divestment of the TEMS-branded business, consisting of tools for air interface monitoring and radio network planning, Ericsson is refining its leading Professional Services portfolio to focus more purely on the services business. The purchase price is CHF 190 million, excluding net of assets and liabilities

Fastighets AB Förvaltaren has been assisted by Mannheimer Swartling in connection with the sale of seven properties with an aggregate value of SEK 713 million to tenant-owners' associations in the municipality of Sundbyberg. More divestments are scheduled to be finalized during the spring and summer.

Mannheimer Swartling has together with the US law firm Davis & Gilbert assisted the global communications group Omnicom Group Inc. (owner of Gavin Anderson) in the merger of the Kreab group and the Gavin Anderson group into Kreab Gavin Anderson, a worldwide specialist financial, corporate and public affairs communications firm. Mannheimer Swartling was primarily responsible for matters relating to Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Belgium.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised the Swedish National Debt Office in its sale of Carnegie Investment Bank AB and Max Matthiessen Holding AB to Altor and Bure Equity AB.

Swedish Match AB (publ) has been advised by Mannheimer Swartling in its new global joint venture with NYSE-listed Philip Morris International.

Ratos AB (publ) has been advised by Mannheimer Swartling in connection with an agreement to acquire up to an additional 48 % of the shares in its associate DIAB Group AB. The seller, 3i Holdings plc, is divesting its entire holding of 48 % of the shares in DIAB to Ratos and the company’s minority owners. Depending on the size of the offering subscribed by minority owners, Ratos’s holding in DIAB will amount to a total of between 91 and 96 % of the shares. The transaction value is appr. 400 MSEK.

The Stockholm Public Transport Authority (Sw. Stockholms Lokaltrafik, “SL”) has been advised by Mannheimer Swartling in connection with the outsourcing/procurement of the Stockholm metro operations. SL’s board decided on 20 January to award the contract to the Hong Kong-based MTR Corporation. The estimated contract value is SEK 35 billion and includes, in addition to metro operations, rolling stock maintenance, station services, cleaning and snow removal.

G & L Beijer AB has been advised by Mannheimer Swartling in connection with the acquisition of Carrier Corporation’s refrigeration wholesale distribution operations in Europe and South Africa (“Carrier ARW”). The value of the transaction is approximately SEK 1,1 billion.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised several individuals in a tax case before the Supreme Administrative Court in Sweden. The individuals were senior managers and had invested in shares of the company which employed them. Furthermore, these individuals were contractually bound by restrictions associated with their share ownership. The matter involved whether their share profits should be taxed as a capital gain or employment income. The Court ruled in favour of the taxpayers and stated that the income shall be taxed as a capital gain, which has a lower tax rate and does not require certain employer contributions to be paid.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Teracom in its acquisition of 30 per cent of the shares in Boxer TV Access AB from the private equity firm 3i.

Riverside Europe Partners GmbH ingår i Sage Holdings som är en ledande transatlantisk aktör inom finansiell kommunikation och stakeholder management. Sage Holdings har över 900 anställda med kontor i New York, London, Dubai, München och nu även i Stockholm.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Glitnir banki on the sale of Glitnir AB to HQ AB (publ).

Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation has retained Mannheimer Swartling as their Swedish legal advisor in connection with a recommended public cash offer to the shareholders in Tanganyika Oil Company Ltd (Tanganyika Oil).

Mannheimer Swartling has assisted Swedbank Robur in its acquisition of Banco Fonder AB, which has managed assets totalling just over 8 billion SEK.

VLT AB has been advised by Mannheimer Swartling in connection with the acquisition of 66.7 per cent of Gratistidningar i Sverige AB (GISAB) from the Danish Söndagsavisen AS group.

DnB NOR Bank ASA, the largest financial institution in Norway, has been assisted by Mannheimer Swartling in connection with its offer to the Swedish market to indirectly invest in various shipping projects.

SKF has been assisted by Mannheimer Swartling in its acquisition of real estate in the Tver region, Russia, on which SKF plans to build a plant for manufacturing of bearing units for railway wheel sets. The facility will be in operation January 2010. With the new plant SKF will take a leading position as bearing supplier to the Russian Railways, RZD.

SKF was advised by Mannheimer Swartling in its acquisition of PEER Bearing Company and its bearing manufactures in China and Thailand. PEER sells primarily to the North American market and will become a wholly-owned subsidiary in the SKF Group. The factories acquired in China are situated in Xinchang and Changshan. The factory in Thailand is situated in Rayong. PEER's main sales organisation is located in Illinois, USA.

Getinge AB was assisted my Mannheimer Swartling in a public offering of all shares in the Datascope Corp., a leading company active in the cardiovascular market with products for cardiac assist and vascular surgery. The total value of the public offer is 865 million US dollar.

Broström was assisted by Mannheimer Swartling in connection with A.P. Møller - Mærsk A/S's recommended public cash tender to the shareholders of Broström. The offer valuates Broström at approximately SEK 3.62 billion.

Argan Capital has acquired a controlling stake in the Humana Group which is Sweden's largest service provider for people with functional disorders and which provides, among other things, personal assistants, legal assistance, administrative support, recruitment of assistants and training. Humana offers its services from offices throughout Sweden. Mannheimer Swarting advised Argan Captial with a team consisting of Peter Alhanko who was the responsible partner together with Ann-Charlotte Högberg, project manager and, amongst others, Jonas Andersson and Martin Fagerlund (M&A) and Mattias Lampe, Johan Häger and Will Charles (acquisition financing). The merger notification was handled by Stefan Perván Lindeborg and Jens Agö.

Strålfors, a Posten subsidiary, has been advised by Mannheimer Swartling in the sale of its payment transaction business to the Danish company PBS. PBS develops and conducts operations pertaining to solutions for payment and information systems and is currently one of the leading suppliers of payment solutions.

KFF Realestate Holding AB, a company owned by KF Fastigheter AB, has acquired shares in Nynäspark AB.

KFF Realestate Holding AB and NGL Construction 8 AB will through Nynäspark AB, jointly create a trade area with everyday commodities, specialized trade, shopping goods and other services in the former factories of LM Ericssons in Nynäshamn.

The partner responsible for the matter was Klas Wennström, assisted by Katarina Bjelkow Rössel, Daniel Jönsson and Sara Liljedahl.

Mannheimer Swartling is the leading business law firm in the Nordic region. The firm works with many of Sweden’s, and the world’s, leading major and mid-sized companies and organisations. A common feature for the firm’s clients is that law plays a vital role in their business success.

The Norwegian fund Realkapital European Opportunity has acquired “Carl-Bosch-Haus” in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Maria Wolleh was the partner responsible for the transaction and was assisted primarily by Maren Ropeter and Caren Reibold.  

This is the fifth transaction in which Mannheimer Swartling has advised Realkapital European Opportunity in connection with acquisitions in Germany. The previous transactions included the sale and lease back of hospitals and the acquisition of commercial real estate.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Nordzucker AG in Sweden in connection with its acquisition of Danisco Sugar A/S (enterprise value: DKK 5.6 billion).

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Ratos AB (publ) in its divestment of Hägglunds Drives to the German company Bosch Rexroth for a total share price of approximately SEK 4,300 million. Hägglunds Drives is an international supplier of hydraulic drive systems, drive motors and services. The company has subsidiaries in 16 countries and has approximately 900 employees.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Ratos AB (publ) in its divestment of Hägglunds Drives to the German company Bosch Rexroth for a total share price of approximately SEK 4,300 million. Hägglunds Drives is an international supplier of hydraulic drive systems, drive motors and services. The company has subsidiaries in 16 countries and has approximately 900 employees.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised the Swiss company, RUAG Holding AG in its acquisition of Saab Space from Saab AB (publ). The purchase price for the shares amounts to MSEK 335. In addition to the fixed purchase price, Saab is entitled to receive additional compensation conditional upon the long-term positive performance of Saab Space. The transaction is subject to customary competition clearances.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Aspholmen Fastigheter Holding AB, a company within the Castellum group, in its acquisition of a real estate portfolio for SEK 562 million.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Hilding Anders in its acquisition of Bedding S.r.l. in Italy.

Hilding Anders is the leading bedding and mattress manufacturer in Europe and Asia. Through its acquisition of Bedding S.r.l. it enters the Italian market.

Mannheimer Swartling has, together with e.g. Clifford Chance, advised the Carlyle Group on the acquisition of the cash systems business of De La Rue Plc, for £360 million.

Mannheimer Swartling has assisted Ericsson in its global outsourcing to HP of infrastructure services, applications hosting platform, helpdesk, desktop support and output services. The responsible partner at Mannheimer Swartling was Bo Söderberg who was assisted mainly by Erica Wiking Häger, Mikael Moreira och Anna Schildknecht.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Ericsson in its global outsourcing to IBM of maintenance and development of applications serving 70,000 end-users.

The partner at Mannheimer Swartling responsible for the matter was Bo Söderberg who was assisted mainly by Fredrik Persson, Mikael Moreira och Anna Schildknecht.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised Investor AB in its acquisition of 50 per cent of the shares in Lindorff First Holding AB, which indirectly controls all the shares in Lindorff Group AB. Altor 2003 Fund and Altor Fund II hold the remaining 50 per cent of the shares in Lindorff First Holding AB. The intention is that Investor and Altor are jointly to manage Lindorff. In the transaction, the Lindorff group was valued at an enterprise value of EUR 1,160 million.

Gillebagaren is one of the leading manufacturers of oat based biscuits in the world and had a turnover of approximately 370 MSEK in 2007.

Papyrus is one of Europe’s leading paper wholesalers and has at present operations in 22 European countries through approximately 50 subsidiaries with in total 3,100 employees. The Head Office is located in Mölndal, Sweden.

Concentric plc., having its business activities in the United States, Great Britain, Germany, India and China, has approximately 670 employees and sales, as per 30 September 2007, totalling GBP 72 million.

Mannheimer Swartling has assisted Ericsson in the divestiture of its enterprise PBX solutions business to Aastra Technologies.

On January 16:th 2008 the firm received the award, "Sweden's best commercial law firm 2007" from the Swedish business magazine, Veckans Affärer.

Mannheimer Swartling has assisted the Swedish medtech company Aerocrine AB (publ) with its new issue of shares in May 2007, by which Aerocrine raised approximately SEK 225 million, and with the listing of Aerocrine on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.

International Law Review (IFLR) has voted Mannheimer Swartling Sweden Law Firm of the Year for 2004.

Each year IFLR organises the IFLR Awards, at which prizes are awarded to the best law firms in Europe. The honours go to the firms giving the best legal advice in the transaction sector and carrying out the most innovative legal transaction in each country during the year.

'We at Mannheimer Swartling are delighted to have received this award and are pleased that our lawyers have gained recognition in this way for their outstanding work and depth of experience. The award also reflects our strong international standing,' says Jan Kansmark, Executive Partner at Mannheimer Swartling.

IFLR's choice of Mannheimer Swartling for the award was based on deals including the OMX - Copenhagen Stock Exchange merger and Nordea's sale of property in Finland, Norway and Sweden. IFLR was also impressed with Mannheimer Swartling's all-round excellence in property finance and the quality advice it has given to financial institutions.

The IFLR Awards

The IFLR Awards are based on numerous interviews with lawyers, in-house counsel and other purchasers of legal services in Europe. Respondents are asked which firms are the key players in the various markets and which deals have been the most successful during the year. The ultimate recipients of the awards are decided by IFLR.

More information

Jan Kansmark, Executive Partner, Mannheimer Swartling, tel: +46 709 777 809

or jka@msa.se.

You can also visit our website at www.mannheimerswartling.se.

Firm tops mergermarket's ranking list of premier law firms in the Nordic region

Mannheimer Swartling was adviser in 59 transactions in the Nordic market in 2004. The aggregate value of those transactions was just over 7.1 billion euro. Mannheimer Swartling was also rated adviser in the greatest number of Nordic transactions during the same period by Thomson Financial.

The firm advised in 51 transactions in 2003, which was the second-highest figure in the Nordic region.

'We have had a good year. The firm has been involved in numerous major and important deals in the Nordic region during the period and we have further consolidated our position as leading adviser,' says Jan Kansmark, Mannheimer Swartling's Managing Partner. 'The prospects for 2005 are also good. There is a positive trend in the market and we expect to see a rise in the number of transactions.'

Some of the key transactions in which Mannheimer Swartling advised in 2004 were: