February 6, 2008
It was recently announced that Willkie client Argantis, the German private equity firm, has acquired a majority share of German security firm W.I.S. Holding GmbH & Co. in a management buyout. The Argantis investment will help finance selected acquisitions and promote further growth. The former shareholders of W.I.S. will retain an interest in the independent and owner-managed group. London-based U.S.-European financial investor Mezzanine Management acted as co-investor and mezzanine lender. With more than 4,000 employees at 27 sites throughout Germany, Cologne-based W.I.S. is ranked fourth in Germany’s security sector. The company’s focus includes security consulting and security-related services and technology as well as staff and cleaning services.
The Willkie deal team, led by Mario Schmidt and Dr. Andreas Hautkappe (Corporate/Private Equity), consisted of Dr. Patrick Meiisel and Bettina Bokeloh (both Tax Structuring), Rolf Hünermann (Corporate/Commercial); and Jennifer Diedrichsen (Corporate/Private Equity), Ole Oldenburg and Ingo Bednarz (both Corporate/Private Equity) and Susanne Pflug (IP/Commercial).
