International law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Japanese corporation Nidec, through its subsidiary Nidec-Shimpo on the acquisition of Stadler Group, a supplier of transmission technology.

A team led by corporate partner Eike Fietz advised on the transaction.  He was supported by partner Dr. Michael Reich, legal director Florian Anselm, senior associate Lefi Herzong, and associates Linda Wüllner and Anna Martin.

Nidec Corperation is one of the world's leading manufacturers of electric motors, gearboxes and other components for the automotive, robotics, household and industrial sectors. Its subsidiary Nidec-Shimpo manufactures gearboxes, predominantly precision planetary gears with a focus on linear gears which are mainly sold in Japan, China and America. Nidec achieved sales of approximately €11 billion in the last fiscal year.

Stadler Group consists of German companies MS GRAESSNER GmbH & Co. KG and Stadler Antriebstechnik GmbH & Co KG, and the Austrian company Graessner GmbH. The group specialises in right-angled precision gearboxes whose drive and output shafts are arranged at a 90 degree angle. In 2017 it had a turnover of approx. €22 million with almost 170 employees.

The acquisition is part of Nidec's wider expansion strategy.

Eike Fietz, Corporate Partner at Pinsent Masons said, "This transaction is a good example of the continued interest of international investors in German manufacturing. Working with US-based M&A advisors, Japanese clients and Austrian lawyers, the German team were able to tap into their vast experience of cross-boarder M&A."