The international law firm Linklaters advised the U.S. private equity investor The Gores Group, LLC (Gores Group) on the acquisition of the automotive supplier Johann Hay GmbH & Co. KG (Hay Group) from the owner family. By acquiring the Hay Group, the Gores Group supports its already existing activities in the automotive supply segment and further expands its position in the European market.

The renowned financial investor with seat in Los Angeles holds shares or interests in more than 80 entities worldwide, whose combined turnovers amount to more than 15 billion U.S. dollars. Especially in the telecommunications, technology and industry sectors, the Gores Group is a leading capital provider.

The Hay Group was founded in 1925 and has its seat in Bad Sobernheim, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Other places of operations are Bockenau and Lüchow. In total, the family enterprise employs more than 1,600 employees. It is known as one of Europe’s leading suppliers of forged and machined components to all original equipment manufacturers for engines, gear boxes and axles. With more than 413 million euros, the Hay Group has clearly exceeded its targeted turnovers and strengthened its unique position as supplier on the German and international markets. The Hay Group will benefit from the Gores Group’s flexible capital base and operating experience. Moreover, the acquisition is supposed to contribute to further developing the international and especially the Asian automotive markets.

The negotiations between the two parties were successfully concluded on 24 December 2011. The acquisition is expected to close in February 2012, subject to regulatory approval.

The Linklaters team was led by Dr Ralph Drebes (corporate, Frankfurt). The team also included Dr Moritz von Schlabrendorff, Ann-Catherine Hoffmann, Simon Boepple, Julia Bepler, Mareike Ackermann (all corporate, Frankfurt), Florian Lechner, Dr Michael Ehret (both tax, Frankfurt), Matthew Devey, Matthias Füssel, Annika Juds (all employment, Frankfurt), Daniel Stengel, Yesim Akbaba, Tobias Kaufmann (all banking, Frankfurt), Dr Oliver Banzhaf, Kai Gassert (both real estate, Frankfurt), Dr Christoph Ritzer (TMT, Frankfurt), Daniel von Brevern, Rene Grafunder, Dr Johannes Jacobs (all competition, Düsseldorf).