Corporate/M&A

Favourable market developments have led to growth in the worldwide merger and acquisition market, both in the number of transactions and in the scope of the deals. At the same time, competition authorities are exercising strict supervision. Working in this environment requires extensive sector knowledge and solution-oriented legal assistance.

Houthoff is one of the most esteemed market leaders within the M&A market. This is confirmed by our top rankings in legal guides like the Legal 500, Chambers Global and Chambers Europe.

Our Corporate/M&A Team assists multinationals, listed companies and other large companies, government bodies and private equity parties. Clients engage our Corporate/M&A Team for pragmatic advice on matters such as national and international mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances. Our specialists have gained an important position within the food, energy and other sectors.

“A client mentioned that 'the team offers a great combination of detailed and technical junior resources and a pragmatic approach from the partners'.”
Chambers Global & Europe, Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability (2024 Edition)
“A client mentioned that: ‘The Houthoff team has assembled the best qualified subject matter experts I have worked with. The commercial, corporate and M&A team are knowledgeable, practical and very efficient. They have spent time learning and understanding our business needs, so they are better able to advise on risk and legal issues. They are an excellent M&A advisory team’."
Legal 500, Corporate/M&A (2024 Edition)
"A client states that one of the main strengths of the team is: 'To remain pragmatic at all times and keep an eye on what's commercially important or relevant and what is not'."
Chambers Global, Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability (2023 Edition)
"A client experienced that 'Houthoff's team is very knowledgeable but also understands the deal making, being fast and pragmatic'."
Chambers Global, Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability (2023 Edition)
"One client said: ‘The core Houthoff M&A team consists of driven, pragmatic, and diverse individuals. Great availability, coordination skills and a pragmatic approach are some of the team’s strengths and key capabilities'."
Legal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A (2023 Edition)
"Another client mentioned: ‘The Houthoff lawyers are smart and practical, with a great understanding of cross-border transactions. They invest time, effort and energy into learning our business, which better enables them to advise our company'."
Legal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A (2023 Edition)
“A client highlights the firm's ‘very pragmatic, highly tailored approach, which is suited to the most complex transactions’.”
Chambers Europe, Corporate/M&A High-end Capability (2022 Edition)
“A client appreciates the ‘hands-on involvement from the partners’.”
Chambers Europe, Corporate/M&A High-end Capability (2022 Edition)
“Dutch efficiency, good value for money for high quality output. Diverse team.”
Legal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A (2022 Edition)
“The team has excellent knowledge in this area, but also has a practical approach, thinks along with the customer. Furthermore, the team is fast, available and easy to reach.”
Legal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A (2022 Edition)
Recommended
Chambers Global, Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability (2022 Edition)
“Collaboration spirit, ability to put in place the right atmosphere with a foreign client so that you feel like you have been working with them for years!”
Legal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A (2022 Edition)
“Houthoff is a business partner with economics intelligence and technical skills reducing risks for the clients in running business.”
Legal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A (2022 Edition)
“Clients value the firm for its willingness to take the initiative, one describing it as ‘a really good resource for us.’”
Chambers Europe, Corporate/M&A High-end Capability (2021 Edition)
“The team is very proactive in making sure we are aware of developments in the Netherlands.”
Chambers Europe, Corporate/M&A High-end Capability (2021 Edition)
“A client recommends the team for its holistic style, relaying how the lawyers ‘don't just advise on the legal things but give more general advice throughout the process, something which is really appreciated.’”
Chambers Europe, Corporate/M&A High-end Capability (2021 Edition)

Our expertise in Corporate/M&A

M&A transactions in the innovative energy sector often have complex structures. Clients ask our Corporate/M&A Team for assistance, from conducting effective due diligence, negotiating competitive commercial conditions and setting these out in clear share purchase agreements (SPAs) to closing the transaction swiftly with the help of our notarial department. More and more Chinese investors are entering the Dutch agrifood market, who require specialised legal assistance. That is why they like to engage Houthoff as their trusted partner for advice.

Our multi-disciplinary Corporate/M&A Team comprises no less than 89 specialists. We can scale our teams up to any desired size and can work on multiple large transactions at the same time. We combine our expertise in the area of mergers and acquisitions with our knowledge of insurance, financial institutions, IT, energy, agrifood, manufacturing and other sectors. Thanks to our comprehensive sector approach, we are able to offer clients the highest level of service within the most important sectors. Houthoff is also a member of Lex Mundi, the most exclusive global network of law firms, which means that in cross-border transactions we only work with the best lawyers.

Highlighted Matters
Advised Renewi Overheidsdiensten on the termination of their cooperation with the municipality of The Hague in N.V. Haagse Milieu Services (HMS).
Highlighted Matters
Assisted, together with Sullivan & Cromwell, e& in forming a strategic joint venture with PPF Telecom Group. e& acquired a controlling stake (50% plus one economic share) in PPF Telecom Group. The transaction value is EUR 2.15 billion, with a potential earn-out of up to EUR 350 million.
Highlighted Matters
Advised and represented the shareholders of Fe Corporation B.V. on the sale of the IKEA retail operations in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Inter IKEA.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Seek Limited on the sale of Brasil Online Holdings Coöperatief U.A. and Online Career Center Mexico, S.A.P.I. de C.V. to Red Arbor Holding, S.L. for a cash consideration of USD 85 million.
Highlighted Matters
Advised 3i on the sale of the Weener Plastics group, producer of high-quality plastic packaging products, to US manufacturing company Silgan Holdings.
Highlighted Matters
Represented Fortenova Group, the largest food producer and retailer in South-Eastern Europe with an annual turnover of EUR 5 billion and 47.500 employees, in the implementation of a comprehensive restructuring resulting from the presence of sanctioned debt and equity holders in its capital structure and cross-border litigation in connection therewith.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Corre Energy B.V. ("Corre Energy") on the establishment of a 50/50 joint venture cooperation with SemperPower B.V. ("SemperPower") for the realisation of one of the largest battery storage facilities in Europe, located at the Zuidwending site in the Netherlands.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Castik Capital S.a.r.l. on the acquisition of paraDIGMA Group.
Highlighted Matters
Advised on the direct listing and admission to trading of all ordinary shares of The London Tunnels PLC on Euronext Amsterdam.
Highlighted Matters
Advised IK Partners on the acquisition of an economical majority stake in QConcepts Beheer B.V., a fast growing Dutch audit-focused specialist. Qconcepts' audit practice represents the majority of its EUR 26.1 million turnover in 2023. Qconcepts has 140 employees who are based across six Dutch offices in 's-Hertogenbosch, Rotterdam, Sittard, Arnhem, Amsterdam, Enschede and an office in Malaga, Spain.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Castik Capital on its acquisition of the Andra Tech Group, a leading group of companies specialising in the manufacturing of high-precision, complex components for €500-1000 million.
Highlighted Matters
Advised IK Partners on the sale of its portfolio company Yellow Hive to IK Partners' first continuation fund, IK Strategic Opportunities I.
Highlighted Matters
Advised the shareholders of Alliander, the Dutch energy network operator, on the sale by Alliander of Kenter to a consortium of ABP and OMERS Infrastructure.
Highlighted Matters
Advised DP Eurasia N.V. on the unsolicited public offer by Jubilant Foodworks and the recommendation of the public offer by DP Eurasia board.
Highlighted Matters
Advised ORTEC, a Dutch provider of decision support software and data science capabilities to key customers in core markets globally since the early 1980s, on sale of a majority stake to Battery Ventures, a US-based investment firm.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Titan, a leading independent liquified biomethane (LBM/bio-LNG) and LNG supplier to the maritime and industrial sectors, on a successful funding round leading to InfraVia obtaining (through one of its investment vehicles) a 45% equity stake in Titan.
Highlighted Matters
Advised DataExpert B.V. on the acquisition of DetACT Software from Fox-IT B.V.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Kemira Oyj as local counsel on the divestment of its Oil & Gass activities, which included a carve-out of certain activities at Kemira's site at Botlek.
Highlighted Matters
Advised, together with Van Bael & Bellis, Sopra Steria Group SA (Euronext Paris), a European Tech leader recognised for its consulting, digital services and software development, on its recommended public offer for all ordinary shares in the capital of Ordina N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam), a Benelux-based consulting and IT services provider.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Future Business Partnership, an impact investor focusing on sustainably-minded brands, on its investment in Naïf Care.