Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek advises Balluff on the acquisition of two digitization companies
December, 2017 - Duesseldorf, Germany
A team of Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek led by Dr. Peter Ladwig advised sensor and automation specialist Balluff GmbH on the acquisition of software company iss innovative software services GmbH and of machine vision pioneer Matrix Vision GmbH Bildverarbeitung. AS part of the transactions, which were negotiated in parallel, Balluff acquired 100% of iss innovative software services, while the previous shareholders of Matrix Vision retain a 25% stake in the company. Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek’s advisory services also included legal due diligence.
Matrix Vision GmbH Bildverarbeitung, based in Oppenweiler near Backnang, is one of the major suppliers of image processing components in the German-speaking market. The company offers a wide range of frame grabbers, cameras, video sensors, embedded systems, and software for industrial image processing and develops customized solutions. With 100 employees, Matrix Vision generated revenue of EUR 15 million in 2016.
Stuttgart-based iss innovative software services offers software development services (such as database applications, development environments, and web applications) as well as automotive and automation engineering services. The company employs 60 people and generated revenue of some EUR 6 million in 2016.
Founded in 1921 in Neuhausen, Germany, Balluff group, a leading sensor and automation specialist, offers innovative sensor, identification, and network technologies as well as software for integrated system solutions. Balluff employs more than 3,500 people and operates production and development facilities worldwide, including 37 subsidiaries. In 2016, Balluff group generated sales of about EUR 378 million.
The acquisitions of Matrix Vision and iss innovative software services strengthen Balluff’s core competencies in software development and machine vision, further expanding its digitization expertise.
Counsel on the acquisition of Matrix Vision GmbH Bildverarbeitung
Dr. Peter Ladwig (Lead),
Dr. Alexander Schott,
Dr. Markus Klinger, all Stuttgart
Astrid Wellhöner, LL.M.,
Dr. Judith Neu, both Munich
Dr. Antonia Stein,
Dr. Nicole Armingeon, both Stuttgart
Counsel on the acquisition of iss innovative software services GmbH
Dr. Peter Ladwig (Lead),
Dr. Alexander Schott,
Lena Ziegler,
Dr. Markus Klinger,
Antje Münch, LL.M.,
Dr. Antonia Stein, all Stuttgart
Kerstin Deiters, LL.M. EMBA, Cologne
Dr. Nicole Armingeon, Stuttgart
