Weibler is one of the leading producers of innovative high-quality chocolate gifts and semi-finished chocolate products and generated sales of approximately EUR 15 million in 2017. Halloren had initiated the sales process as part of its strategic reorganisation. 

Led by Thomas Gierath, the Reed Smith team assisted with the negotiation of the purchase agreement with Halloren and conducted the legal due diligence. Counsel Silvio McMiken, who joined Reed Smith recently as a member of the team of new corporate partner Florian Hirschmann of DLA Piper, was an essential part of the advisory team.

In 2018, Reed Smith already advised on the second acquisition for the United Chocolate Group. As part of its buy-and-build strategy in the European confectionery sector, the group had already acquired earlier this year the German chocolate producer Argenta and the Polish supplier Arkadia (see Reed Smith press release of May 3, 2018).

Advisors DPK:
Reed Smith: Thomas Gierath (M&A / Tax, lead), Silvio McMiken (M&A, Corporate), Etienne Richthammer (Real estate), Alexander Klett (IP) as well as Rita Gnoth-Novak, Andrea Manger and Tobias Schulz (all Corporate/M&A), Maria Ottermann (Litigation), Ulrike Bischof (Labor law), Philipp Bergmann (Finance), Sebastian Braun (Real estate), Helge Aulmann (Antitrust), Viktoria Ritter (Tax).

Other advisors: 
Clifford Chance: Barbara Mayer-Trautmann, Melchior Raiser (Finance)
Flick Gocke Schaumburg: Christian Schatz (Participation of investors)
Rödl & Partner: Jochen Reis (Finance), Florian Kaiser (Tax)
Godler: Alexander Rosenberg (Environmental law, work safety)
MRH Trowe: Thomas Holle (Insurance)
Maconda: Rainer Mayer (Market)

Advisor Halloren:
Greenberg Traurig LLP (Dr. Joseph Hofschroer, Natalie Hsiao, Johannes Sobanski)