FRANKFURT – Global law firm Reed Smith has advised Duravant LLC ("Duravant"), a global provider of engineered equipment and automated solutions for the food processing, packaging and material handling industries headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, USA, on its acquisition of Ferdinand Henneken GmbH ("Henneken").
food production

Henneken is a manufacturer of protein processing solutions based in Bad Wünnenberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, that develops and produces innovative machines such as vacuum tumblers, tenderisers, injectors and brine mixers that enable higher production volumes and better product quality for meat, poultry and seafood processors.
The acquisition of Henneken is part of Duravant's corporate strategy to expand its investments in the growing protein sector. The products and services offered by Henneken are highly complementary and enhance Duravant's ability to offer complete and integrated plant solutions.

Working with Duravant in-house Counsel, Chad E. Walker, the multidisciplinary and international Reed Smith team was led by Dr Octávio de Sousa (partner, Corporate/M&A, Frankfurt) and Sid Bale (partner, Corporate/M&A, Chicago).

They were supported by Wim Vandenberghe (partner, Regulatory Commercial, Brussels), Dr Oliver Hahnelt (partner, Finance, Frankfurt), Harald Heller (partner, Real Estate, Frankfurt), Dr Martin Bünning (partner, Tax, Frankfurt), Christian Leuthner (partner, Tech & Data, Frankfurt), Christian Filippitsch (partner, Antitrust, Brussels), as well as Dr Niklas Koutsós (counsel, Finance) and Cecilia Manny (associate, Corporate/M&A), Jonathan Diehl (associate, Real Estate), Dr Hannah von Wickede (associate, Tech & Data), Jonas Weimert (associate, IP), Vincent Magotsch (associate, Employment) and Elisa Saier (associate, Employment).

de Sousa said: "We are very pleased to have been able to support Duravant in pursuing its international growth strategy in Germany. The transaction has once again demonstrated Reed Smith's strength in providing integrated and comprehensive advice on cross-border transactions."