Switzerland

Worthington Steel (NYSE: WS), a metals processor that partners with customers to deliver highly technical and customized solutions, entered into a Business Combination Agreement with Kloeckner & Co (XETR: KCO), a leading service center and metal processing company with facilities across North America and Europe. Bär & Karrer acts as Swiss legal advisor to Worthington Steel. The team is co-led by Christoph Neeracher and Philippe Seiler and further includes Ronny Schmid, Nick Aschwanden and Dennis Loki (all M&A), Laura Widmer and Sandra Schaffner (both Employment), Faton Aliu and Dominique Simmen (both Finance), Ruth Bloch-Riemer and Sébastien Di Natale (Social Security), Patrick Neher (Real Estate) and Katharina Cardon (Data Protection). The international lead is with Latham & Watkins LLP. The team of Latham & Watkins LLP is led by Dr. Rainer Traugott (Munich). For further information please contact: Media Relations, Eric Stupp Tel: +41 58 261 50 00 Email: [email protected] Bär & Karrer is a leading Swiss law firm with more than 200 lawyers, providing customized legal advice in complex transactions and litigation. Clients range from multinational corporations to private individuals in Switzerland and abroad. Bär & Karrer is present with offices in all main language regions in Switzerland and operates globally via an international network of leading law firms. For further information please visit baerkarrer.ch.

On January 15, 2026, HIAG Immobilien Holding AG, a leading player in the real estate industry in Switzerland that covers the entire property value chain of portfolio/asset management, site development and transaction management, placed CHF 100 m in aggregate principal amount of 1.340 percent Green Bonds due 2033 (the Green Bonds). Raiffeisen Schweiz Genossenschaft and Basler Kantonalbank acted as Joint Lead Managers. The Green Bonds will be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Homburger advised Raiffeisen Schweiz Genossenschaft in the transaction. The Homburger team was led by Benjamin Leisinger (Capital Markets) and included Yulia Shaburnykova (Capital Markets). Contact Wanda Schweda / Marketing / [email protected]  

Niederer Kraft Frey advised Zürcher Kantonalbank (as mandated lead arranger, coordinator, agent, security agent and original lender) and Luzerner Kantonalbank AG (as mandated lead arranger and original lender) on the financing of the acquisition of a majority stake in Ergon Informatik AG by Afinum. Afinum is an investment company with a focus on investments in mid-sized companies in the DACH region. Ergon Informatik is a leading IT company in Switzerland combining technology, security and business competences to provide solutions for complex business needs, with a focus on developing and distributing software products. The NKF team was led by M&A/Finance partners Adrian Koller and Philip Spoerlé, working with associate Alexander Züger, junior associate Janyar Assa’d (both Transactions) and partner Markus Kronauer (Tax).

Niederer Kraft Frey is pleased to announce a further significant expansion of its Real Estate practice with the joining of Charles Gschwind as a new partner in Geneva. Charles is a highly experienced Real Estate and M&A lawyer with a strong focus on complex transactions. He advises domestic and international clients on high-profile asset and portfolio deals, sophisticated development projects, landmark hotel transactions and the acquisition of real estate companies, as well as on the structuring and financing of large real estate portfolios. His expertise also covers key regulatory and administrative matters, in particular Lex Koller and environmental law, alongside corporate, commercial and contract law as well as tenancy matters. He further represents clients in challenging (pre-)litigation matters across the real estate sector. Andreas F. Vögeli, head of NKF’s Real Estate team, explains: “With Charles joining us as a new partner, we further strengthen our Real Estate practice, particularly in French-speaking Switzerland. His strong transactional expertise and excellent market reputation make him a perfect fit for our team. We very much look forward to working with him.” Charles Gschwind states: “I am delighted to join NKF and its leading Real Estate team. NKF stands for excellence, collaboration and innovation, and I am very excited to contribute my experience to further expand the practice and deliver outstanding advice and services to our clients.” About NKF Niederer Kraft Frey is a leading Swiss full service law firm with offices in Zurich and Geneva, offering a full range of legal services with an international perspective. NKF works closely with clients to achieve strategic objectives, foster business growth, and navigate complex challenges. The firm is led by 52 partners and employs 220 professionals, including 140 lawyers.