Berlin—Global law firm Dentons has advised the Gagnez family, which owns French lighting manufacturer Sammode, on the acquisition of  Hoffmeister Group. Hoffmeister Leuchten GmbH, based in Schalksmühle, Germany, and its Berlin subsidiaries SILL Leuchten GmbH and SRM Technik GmbH filed for insolvency proceedings at the end of April 2018. The transaction is expected to close on July 31, 2018.

Through the entry of the Gagnez family, Sammode, Hoffmeister and SRM as well as the acquired product portfolio of SILL will combine forces to become a leading European manufacturer of sophisticated lighting technology. The German-French group of companies will have two production sites and two ultra-modern research and development centers.

The deal will provide continuity for the Hoffmeister Group, which has roots reaching back to 1910, when the company was run as a family business. SILL Leuchten and SRM Technik joined the group in the last decade.

Sammode is a family-owned manufacturer of technical industrial and building lighting. Sammode was founded in 1927 in the French community of Châtillon-sur-Saône and is headquartered in Paris. The company, whose customers include large industrial companies and public institutions, is now owned by the fourth generation of the Gagnez family of entrepreneurs.

A Dentons team led by restructuring partner Andreas Ziegenhagen advised the buyer on all legal and tax matters and represented the client in sales contract negotiations.

Advisors to Sammode:

Dentons (Berlin):

Restructuring and Insolvency: Andreas Ziegenhagen (Lead Partner), Dr. Jan Seelinger (Senior Associate)

Employment and Labor: Matthias Stelzer (Counsel), Isabelle Puhl (Senior Associate)

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