Baker McKenzie advised AAC Technologies on the successful closing of its multi-million investment in Ibeo Automotive Systems GmbH ("Ibeo Automotive"), combined with a strategic partnership between AAC Technologies and Ibeo Automotive. The transaction was driven by various – partly diametrical – stockholder interests. Baker McKenzie's advice to AAC Technologies comprised all relevant areas of law.
"The investment in and the strategic partnership with Ibeo Automotive will help Ibeo Automotive achieve its goals and it will also help our client AAC Technologies bring optimized high performance to consumer electronics. As part of our advice, we were able to help pave the way for cutting-edge technology," comments Christoph Wolf, lead partner in the transaction.
AAC Technologies, a world leading supplier of optical components and solutions provider for smart devices, is researching, developing and manufacturing leading edge solutions to enhance user experience of smart mobile devices. AAC's product lines can be found in smartphones and portable electronic devices.
Ibeo Automotive Systems GmbH is a worldwide technology leader in the field of LiDAR sensors (acronym for Light Detection and Ranging), associated products, and software tools. The technology is applied in cars as safety assistance systems, or in the field of autonomous driving. Ibeo Automotive employs a total of over 400 people in Hamburg, Germany, and Eindhoven, Netherlands. In 2018, the company celebrated its 20th anniversary.
The global Corporate/M&A team of Baker McKenzie advises on more cross-border transactions than any other law firm. Most recently the team advised Atos on the acquisition of cryptovision, Deutsche Beteiligungs AG on the sale of its stake in DNS:Net, Cognizant on the acquisition of ESG Mobility, Paragon on the sale of NovumIP to Questel Group, TA Associates on the acquisition of a majority stake in IGEL, Embracer on the acquisition of Easybrain Limited, SK Telecom on a joint venture with Deutsche Telekom, Chr. Hansen Holding A/S on the acquisition of Jennewein Biotechnologie GmbH, DBAG on an investment in congatec Holding AG, SAP on the sale of the communication unit SAP Digital Interconnect to Sinch AB, Air Liquide on the sale of the Schülke Group to the Swedish financial investor EQT, METRO AG on the establishment of a strategic partnership with Wumei Technology Group, Bayer AG on the sale of its majority stake in the chemical park operator Currenta and Evonik on the sale of its methacrylate business to Advent International.
Legal advisor to AAC Technologies:
Baker McKenzie
Lead:
Corporate/M&A: Dr. Christoph Wolf (partner, Frankfurt), Holger Engelkamp (counsel, Berlin)
Team:
Corporate/M&A: Christian Atzler (partner), Dr. Kathrin Weber (senior associate), Ulrich Weidemann (counsel, all Frankfurt) Stephan Gönczöl (associate, Munich)
IT: Dr. Holger Lutz (partner), Dr. Tobias Born (senior associate, both Frankfurt)
IP: Dr. Michael Fammler (partner), Lena Weber (associate, both Frankfurt), Christina Rinkel (associate, Munich),
Banking / Finance: Kathrin Marchant (partner), Philipp Thimm (PSL, both Frankfurt)
Employment / Pensions: Dr. Christian Reichel, Dr. Lena Kern (counsel), Dr. Anna Verena Böhm (counsel, all Frankfurt)
Commercial: Dr. Johannes Teichmann (partner, Frankfurt), Dr. Katharina Spenner (partner), Joachim Fröhlich (counsel, both Munich)
Antitrust: Dr. Nicolas Kredel (partner), Markus Mossmann (associate, both Dusseldorf)
Public Law: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Ellinghaus (partner, Frankfurt), Dr. Andreas Schulz (counsel, Berlin), Dr. Andreas Neumann (associate, Frankfurt)
Foreign Investment: Anahita Thoms (partner, Dusseldorf)
Other Baker McKenzie offices involved: Hong Kong, Chicago, Amsterdam