K&L Gates Advised Motherson On Strategic Acquisition Of Atsumitec

K&L Gates Advised Motherson on Strategic Acquisition of Atsumitec

Global law firm K&L Gates has successfully advised Samvardhana Motherson International Limited (Motherson) on its definitive agreements, executed through its subsidiary SMRP BV, to acquire a 95% stake in Japanese automotive parts manufacturer Atsumitec Co., Ltd. Atsumitec, renowned for its expertise in metal and machining, specializes in the production of chassis and transmission components. Operating across nine facilities in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam, Atsumitec represents a key strategic acquisition for Motherson.

The transaction involves multiple steps, starting with Motherson acquiring at least 48.02% of Atsumitec’s shares from existing shareholders. If necessary, this will be followed by a squeeze-out or stock consolidation. The final stage includes a share repurchase by Atsumitec from Honda Motors Co., resulting in a 95:5 partnership between Motherson and Honda. The deal is expected to close by early 2025, pending approval from Japanese merger control authorities.

K&L Gates’ multidisciplinary team was led by Corporate Partners David Kuo and Meraj Noor (Singapore), Frank Voon (Hong Kong), and Tsuguhito Omagari (Tokyo). They were supported by Senior Associate Ying Chern Tan and Associate Esther Neo (Singapore), with additional corporate contributions from Counsels Kyosuke Momoi (Tokyo) and Elsa Mak (Hong Kong), and Associates Daisuke Morinaga (Tokyo) and Yibo Wu (Shanghai).

Intellectual Property advice was provided by Counsel Hidehiko Ichikawa (Tokyo), while Associate Goro Shimazaki (Tokyo) addressed employment-related matters.

The team collaborated with local counsel in Indonesia, Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam. In the United States, key support was provided by Seattle Partners Adam Heyd (Corporate), Alyssa Moir and Christine Jochim (Environmental), Catherine Smith (Employment), Mark Wittow (Intellectual Property), Kari Larson (Real Estate), and Nashville Partner Matt Miller (Corporate).

MUFG Bank Ltd. acted as financial advisor to Motherson.

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