Heuking advises French national printing office IN Groupe on acquisition of Gleitsmann Security Inks GmbH
July, 2023 - Germany
A Heuking team led by Dr. Helge-Torsten Wöhlert, Munich, legally advised French state-owned IN Groupe on the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Berlin-based printing ink specialist Gleitsmann Security Inks GmbH from Germany’s hubergroup Deutschland GmbH. The transaction in a highly complex and regulated market environment is an important milestone in IN Groupe’s Digital Odyssey 2025 Plan and its assertion, through its Secure Components business unit, as a reference player for identity and banknote security.
IN Groupe (formerly known as Imprimerie Nationale) is a French-headquartered global specialist in identity and secured digital services, addressing more than 130 countries around the world. In addition to its solutions dedicated to legal and professional identity security, IN Groupe develops and sells leading-edge security components for identities, and banknotes through its dedicated Surys (optical components) and SPS (electronic components) brands. The history of Imprimerie Nationale, national printing office of the French government, dates back to the printers who were granted special royal privileges during the French Renaissance. The complementary nature of the two companies will strengthen IN Groupe’s product portfolio to meet the needs of governments and central banks in securing credentials and banknotes for both Euro and export markets.
hubergroup is one of the leading international specialists for solutions and technologies relating to printing inks, printing aids, and raw materials. The successful family-owned company with a history of over 250 years develops innovative solutions and technologies for the printing and packaging industry, the paints and coatings sector, and for chemical companies. By selling Gleitsmann to IN Groupe, hubergroup is divesting its division for the development and production of security inks.
Gleitsmann Security Inks GmbH is a leading global manufacturer of high-security printing inks and associated auxiliaries, specializing in the production of durable and effective inks for government institutions, among others. Headquartered in Berlin, the company looks back at a 175-year history. Gleitsmann is an accredited member of the Banknote Ethics Initiative and the International Currency Association and will provide IN Groupe with a solid platform to develop new solutions for the currency and identity markets.
Counsel to IN Groupe
Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek:
Dr. Helge-Torsten Wöhlert (Corporate/M&A, Lead), Munich
Dr. Katharina Prasuhn (Corporate/M&A), Munich
Dr. Bodo Dehne (Corporate/M&A), Düsseldorf
Dr. Arnold Büssemaker (Finance), Munich
Dr. Reinhard Siegert (Antitrust, Commercial), Munich
Dr. Thomas Jansen (IT/IP), Munich
Dr. Christoph Gringel (Banking), Frankfurt
Fabian G. Gaffron (Tax), Hamburg
Kerstin Deiters, LL.M., EMBA (Employment), Cologne
Dr. Markus Rabe, LL.M. (Insurance), Munich
Steffen Wilberg (Real Estate), Munich
Dr. Martin Ströhmann, LL.M. (Compliance), Munich
Dr. Ruth Schneider (Antitrust, Commercial), Munich
Dr. Karolina Magdalena Badura (Finance), Munich
Bettina Neheider (Public Law), Munich
Sarah Radon, LL.M. (Corporate/M&A), Düsseldorf
Simon Pommer, LL.M. (Tax), Hamburg
