30 May 2012

Travers Smith advises Krauss-Maffei Wegman on the acquisition of Williams Fairey Engineering Ltd

Travers Smith corporate partner Andrew Gillen led the team advising new client Krauss-Maffei Wegman GmbH & Co. KG (KMW), the Munich-headquartered European market leader for highly protected wheeled and tracked vehicles, on its acquisition of Williams Fairey Engineering Ltd (WFEL), the UK-based manufacturer of mobile tactical bridging, for an undisclosed consideration.

WFEL has been owned by the mid-market private equity house Dunedin since 2006 when it was purchased for £42 million.  Founded as the Fairey Aviation Company in 1915, WFEL has experienced significant growth over the last six years and is now the world’s leading manufacturer of bridging systems. Its lightweight, rapid-deployment bridges are used in conflict and disaster relief operations by 40 armed forces worldwide.

Munich based KMW, which has operations in Brazil, Greece, the Netherlands, Mexico, Singapore, the USA and Turkey,s specializes in the design and manufacture of tracked and wheeled military vehicles. Its portfolio includes air-transportable wheeled vehicles, reconnaissance, anti-aircraft and artillery systems as well as the world renowned Leopard main battle tank, infantry fighting vehicles and bridge laying systems. It has annual sales in excess of €930 million and employs 3,200 people worldwide.  WFEL is its first acquisition in the UK.

The Travers Smith team also included corporate associate Andrew Gofton-Salmond.

Oppenhoff and Partners (Michael Abels) advised KMW on German law. Dunedin were advised by Gregg Davison of Pinsent Masons LLP.

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