Mayer Brown advised Dipl.-Ing. Joachim Schuster on the sale of SAE IT-systems GmbH & Co. KG ("SAE KG") in the course of a structured bidding process.

The buyer is an acquisition vehicle of the listed company Lacroix S.A., an international supplier of technological assets headquartered in Saint-Herblain, France. The transaction has already been completed. The parties have agreed not to disclose any economic conditions.

Founded in 1972, SAE KG is a leading manufacturer of high-performance remote control engineering and station control technology for the electricity, water, gas, district heating and infrastructure sectors with 75 employees at its headquarter in Cologne. In addition to energy supply companies and municipal utilities, the company's customers also include well-known industrial groups and large plant construction companies.

Lacroix S.A. was founded in 1947 and is represented by more than 4,000 employees in 11 countries in Europe and North Africa. The Bedouin Family Trust holds 70% of the shares in Lacroix. With LACROIX City, the Group offers secure, networked devices for the management of intelligent road infrastructures (signage, traffic management, street lighting, V2X), with LACROIX Sofrel devices for the management of water and energy systems.

SAE KG will keep as a distinct entity its own brand and the management team and will now tackle to expand on the relevant strategic markets on the basis of a shared vision as integrated part of Lacroix Group.

Mayer Brown provided comprehensive legal and tax advice on the transaction. Mayer Brown's multiple proven expertise in advising on the sale and acquisition of owner-managed mid-sized companies has enabled a swift and efficient structuring and implementation of the transaction.

The Mayer Brown team included partner Dr. Joachim J. Modlich, senior associate Slaven Kovacevic (both Corporate, Düsseldorf; both lead-management), partner Volker Junge (Tax, Frankfurt am Main) and associate Sabine Krause (Corporate, Düsseldorf).