RSM UK advises German paper manufacturer on acquisition

RSM UK has advised Drewsen Spezialpapiere, a German paper manufacturer, on its acquisition of Portals Paper Ltd from private equity firm Epiris. Drewsen Spezialpapiere is known for manufacturing speciality and security papers used for secure documentation, such as passports. 

Its acquisition of Portals Paper Ltd, a producer of high-security papers based in Somerset, UK, will streamline its services and expand product offerings.

The transaction involved cross-border collaboration between RSM UK and RSM Ebner Stolz, with legal support from Stevens and Bolton LLP, from the deal structuring phase through to completion. 

RSM UK conducted the financial and tax due diligence and advised on the financial and tax aspects of the transaction documents, while RSM Ebner Stolz managed the advisory workstreams, negotiated with the sell-side and drafted the legal documentation. Stevens and Bolton carried out the legal due diligence and provided wider legal support. 

The RSM UK team was led by deal services partner Jonathan Wade, with support from Lora Arnold, and by tax partner James Hunt, with support from Marcus Rashford. 

The RSM Ebner Stolz team was led by Dr. Heiko Jander-McAlister, with support from Sönke Storch, LL.M., Ulrich Severin Heßling, LL.M., and Laurin Graf von Perponcher.

Jonathan Wade, deal services partner at RSM UK said: “This strategic acquisition between Drewsen Spezialpapiere and Portals Paper will strengthen their market position in the security paper industry. Through collaborating, this will enable them to achieve their shared goals, and ensure they are best placed to provide high quality solutions for clients. 

“We’re thrilled to have worked alongside the RSM Ebner Stolz team to achieve the ideal outcome for both parties involved. The deal demonstrates our cross-border capabilities in complex carve-out and international M&A transactions.”