FGvW Advises eps on its Merger with NÜSSLI to Become the Global Market Leader in Event Infrastructure

FGvW has advised eps Holding GmbH in connection with the merger of the eps Event Group with NÜSSLI (Schweiz) AG. By merging with eps, an owner-managed European family-owned company, the investors of NÜSSLI (Schweiz) AG under the leadership of Helvetica Capital are implementing a long-term succession plan for NÜSSLI.

FGvW is thereby supporting the merger of two global market leaders: eps, a leader in temporary turf and ground protection systems as well as crowd control, and NÜSSLI, a leader in grandstands, event structures, stadiums, and special-purpose structures. Geographically, the two companies complement each other through their strong presence in different regions with partial overlap and by serving different customer segments.

eps was founded 30 years ago and specializes in turf and ground protection systems, crowd control, and visitor management for events. The owner-managed family business, headquartered in Munich, employs 350 people at 29 locations and supports approximately 5,000 events annually. Its regional focus is on Europe, North America, Brazil, and Australia.

For 85 years, NÜSSLI has been building temporary grandstands, stadiums, stages, arenas, expo pavilions, exhibitions, and special-purpose structures. The Swiss group has 470 employees at 21 locations and completes approximately 1,500 projects each year. Its core markets are Switzerland, Central and Southern Europe, and the Americas.

The merger creates a global market leader in temporary event infrastructure with 820 employees at 50 locations and projects worldwide. Their combined client base includes Live Nation, the WEF, AEG Live, the IOC, FKP Scorpio, Formula 1, the ATP Tour, the Ski World Cup, the Ryder Cup, and Red Bull. It also includes organizers of international tours, participants in world fairs, and some of the world’s most renowned festivals, such as Coachella, Tomorrowland, and EDC.

The merger was financed by a banking consortium consisting of prominent German banks and savings banks.

A cross-office, interdisciplinary team from Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner, led by Cologne-based M&A partner Arnt Göppert, provided eps with comprehensive legal advice on this transaction. The team was supported in other jurisdictions by specialists from partner law firms Kellerhals Carrard in Switzerland, WST in Italy, bpv BRAUN PARTNERS in the Czech Republic, Hall & Willcox in Australia, and Hall Booth Smith in the United States of America.

Advisors to eps Holding GmbH:

Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner, Cologne / Berlin / Freiburg

Arnt Göppert, LL.M., Partner (Lead, M&A, Corporate Law, Cologne)
Dr Alexander Hartmann, Partner (M&A, Corporate Law Berlin)
Dr Raphael Klesen, LL.M., Partner (Finance Law, Freiburg)
Dr Markus Beaumart, Partner (Real Estate Law, Cologne)
Dr Sabine Schröter, Partner (Employment Law, Frankfurt)
Peter Metzger, Local Partner (Administrative Law, Freiburg)
Dr Stephanie von Riegen, Local Partner (Antitrust Law, Freiburg)
Dr Christian Koehler, LL.M., Senior Associate (M&A, Berlin)
Mercédes Dewulf, Associate (Intellectual Property Law, Cologne)
Dr Fabian Kehrer, Associate (Finance Law, Freiburg)
Jan Niklas Brill, Associate (Finance Law, Freiburg)
Marie Pflüger, LL.B., Associate (M&A, Cologne)
Florian Weiss, LL.B., Associate (M&A, Cologne)
Dr Julian Zaudig, Associate (IT Law, Data Protection Law, Cologne)

Ypsilon GmbH Tax Consulting Firm

Georg Keller, Partner (Tax, Duesseldorf)

International Advisors to eps:

Kellerhals Carrard, Basel, Switzerland

Dr Nicolas Mosimann, Partner (M&A, Corporate Law, Basel)
Marco Sibold, Partner (Tax Law)
Dr Kevin MacCabe, Senior Associate (M&A, Financing)
Sarah Schneider, Senior Associate (M&A, Corporate Law)
Larissa Simeon, Senior Associate (M&A, Corporate Law)
Dr Milena Grob, Senior Associate (Data Protection)
Philipp A. d'Hondt, Counsel (Real Estate)
Laura Manz, Counsel (Insurance Law)
Violeta Kuzmanović, Junior Associate (Corporate Law)

WST - Studio Associato Servizi Professionali Integrati, Milan, Italy

Carmelo Raimondo, Partner (Finance Law)
Martino Beltramini, Associate (Finance Law)

bpv BRAUN PARTNERS, Prague, Czech Republic

Arthur Braun, M.A., Partner (Corporate Law, Financing, Real Estate Law)
Mgr. Evelina Weagová, Senior Associate (Real Estate Law)

Hall&Wilcox, Sydney / Melbourne, Australia

David Cooper, Partner (Finance Law, Sydney)
Jeanette Lui, Special Counsel (Finance Law, Melbourne)

Hall Booth Smith, Atlanta

Carsten Alting, Partner (Corporate Law, Financing)