Warner Norcross + Judd LLP represented Linamar Corporation (TSX: LNR) in its acquisition of a battery enclosures business from Dura-Shiloh, a Middleground Capital portfolio company, for $325M USD. The transaction includes three factories in Alabama, Czechia and North Macedonia that manufacture advanced battery enclosures for Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) applications. This transaction advances Linamar’s strategy to increase its electrified product portfolio in the BEV sector. The transaction closed on August 3, 2023.
Linamar Corporation is an advanced manufacturing company that utilizes leading-edge technology and manufacturing to create powerful solutions for vehicles, motion, work and in people’s lives now and into the future. With several battery tray and enclosures programs in production both in North America and Europe, Linamar’s current designs include cast aluminum and welded fabricated aluminum assemblies. The acquisition of Dura-Shiloh’s battery enclosures business will add high-strength steel and precision bonding composite designs to its product range.
Linda Hasenfratz, Linamar Executive Chair and CEO commented, "We are excited to complete this acquisition, a further step forward in Linamar's transition towards an Electrified Mobility world, bolstering our growing Structures & Chassis business portfolio."
According to Elliot Burger, General Counsel and Global Vice President of Corporate Development of Linamar: “As we pursued this strategic acquisition, we leaned heavily on the considerable experience, sound judgment and no-nonsense communication that Warner Norcross + Judd provided throughout the process. Our Warner colleagues quickly established themselves as integral, collaborative members of our deal team. The Warner team integrated seamlessly and collaboratively with our Canadian counsel who were also working on this transaction.”
Warner served as legal counsel to Linamar, representing the company in contract negotiations that crossed several sectors of the law. The Warner transaction team was led by Linda Paullin-Hebden and included Michael Jones (M&A), Daniel Bonucchi (M&A), Andrew Reside (M&A), Malaina Weldy (M&A), Christian Rhoades (M&A), Susan Cook (corporate and creditors rights), Bob Nolan (Competition Law), Ford Turrell (real estate), Philip Haywood (corporate and real estate), Jennifer Watkins (employee benefits), Stephanie Grant (health and welfare), Dennis Donohue (environmental), Steve Palazzolo (employment), Karen VanderWerff (employment and occupational health and safety), Sean Cook (tax), Kurt Brauer (economic incentives), Jared Belka (economic incentives), Jason Byrne (insurance), Alan Jurcak (corporate and M&A), James Rabaut (real estate), Brian Masternak (antitrust) and Paul Beach (environmental).
Warner’s Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Practice Group
As part of one of the largest and most successful law firms in Michigan, Warner’s M&A Practice Group draws upon more than 90 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.
