International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised private equity firm Permira on Cargill’s EUR 1.5 billion offer to acquire Provimi, a world leader in animal nutrition. Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services.

Permira originally acquired Provimi in 2007. Under the funds’ ownership, Provimi’s management team transformed the business from a disparate group of individual businesses into an integrated international organisation. This was realised through the disposal of non-core assets and strategic acquisitions in fast growing markets to enhance the company’s geographic footprint. This level of significant investment transformed Provimi into a global leader in its field with a particularly strong presence in fast growing emerging markets. 

Freshfields’ international multidisciplinary team advising on the transaction was led by London corporate partners Laurie McFadden and Bruce Embley and included fellow London corporate partners, Edward Braham and Frank Miller; Paris corporate partner Fabrice Cohen; Brussels competition partners Alan Ryan and Rafique Bachour; Paris employment partner Gwen Senlanne, Amsterdam employments partners Brechje Nollen and London finance partners Ian Frost and Peter Hall.