CCL Industries Inc. is a global specialty packaging and label company for home and personal care products, premium food and beverages, healthcare and specialty markets. Based in Toronto, Canada, CCL employs more than 6,000 workers at 87 manufacturing facilities in 25 countries. In 2013, CCL retained Warner Norcross to lead the company’s acquisition of two divisions of Avery Dennison, another global manufacturer. As lead outside transaction counsel, we negotiated the master purchase agreement, functioned as the quarterback for the transaction and coordinated the work of 23 law firms scattered around the globe.
The $500 million acquisition was the largest in CCL’s history and increased the company’s annual revenue from $1.2 billion to more than $2 billion. The transaction was named "Deal of the Year" by TerraLex and CCL received the 2013 Canadian Dealmakers Award for transactions that significantly impact industries through innovation and growth.
How We Helped:
The transaction was particularly challenging because the Avery divisions that CCL acquired had operations in 23 countries on five continents. Although the acquisition was one transaction, it was like negotiating 23 separate deals simultaneously. We used more than 20 attorneys and paralegals to complete the deal. Because Warner Norcross is the Michigan member of TerraLex – a global, invitation-only network of independent law firms -- we were able to quickly build an international legal team that could seamlessly advise on the numerous legal issues involved in a transaction of this magnitude. That coordination allowed us to successfully complete the complex deal in just five months.
Warner Norcross + Judd Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Group
As part of one of the largest and most successful law firms in Michigan, the Warner Norcross M&A group draws upon more than 85 years of experience to successfully and efficiently handle a wide range of M&A transactions for both private and publicly traded businesses, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic business combinations of all types.
About Warner
By providing discerning and proactive legal advice, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP builds a better partnership with our clients. One of Michigan’s largest law firms, we’re focused on providing the best legal solutions and exceptional client service to organizations throughout the world. Connect with us on wnj.com, LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.
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