We have successfully assisted Axel Johnson Inc, a diversified group of industry-leading businesses, on the agreement to acquire 90% of the shares in La Fantana, the leading water-cooler company in Romania, by buying out Oresa and acquiring part of the stake held by Cristian Amza, the CEO of the company. Cristian Amza retains a 10% stake and the CEO position. The transaction is a very significant one for the Romanian market, both in terms of value and complexity.
The DLA Piper Romania team was led by country managing partner Marian Dinu, with the close support of partner Oana Duțu-Buzura, counsels Cristina Bucur, Sandra Cahu and Georgiana Stan, senior associate Denisa Achim and managing associate Noemi Popa, providing comprehensive legal assistance throughout the whole process. Christopher Wilson, a UK-based DLA Piper partner, assisted with the English law elements, while Manon den Boer, a partner based in Amsterdam, provided Dutch law assistance. Merger and FDI clearance were handled by partner Alina Lăcătuș and counsel Răzvan Pele. Tax partners Tudor Nedelea (Romania), Jian-Cheng Ku (Netherlands) and Anil Kalia (US), advised on the transaction structuring. US-based partner, Joseph Silver, was also involved, in a client relationship role.
This deal showcases the ability of DLA Piper to advise on complex, cross-border transactions, involving multiple jurisdictions and multiple practice areas, as well as coordination with a large number of parties, including the financing banks.
“We are honored to have assisted Axel Johnson Inc on their first investment project in Romania – we are grateful for their trust and support. Congratulations to the team at Axel Johnson Inc for this successful outcome! I am thankful to all the members of the DLA Piper team, who have demonstrated pragmatism and imagination, as well as enthusiasm and determination throughout the process“, said Marian Dinu.
About DLA Piper
DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, positioning us to help clients with their legal needs around the world. DLA Piper’s office in Bucharest supports clients with a team of more than 50 internationally trained lawyers and fiscal consultants combining industry knowledge built on local projects with international experience gained while advising major global clients on cross-border matters. Legal services cover Corporate, Employment, Competition, Data Protection, Finance, Real Estate, Tax, Litigation and Regulatory.
