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Corporate / M&A

Whether you are planning a merger as part of your growth strategy, thinking about diversifying into new sectors or looking for new funding options such as non-bank lending or through equity investment, our experts offer you the right mix of legal and commercial advice. Having lawyers who think and act beyond their traditional role and seek to add value can help you secure the competitive edge you need in an ever-changing business environment. Our international team of more than 700 corporate lawyers in 43 countries worldwide can assist you in all aspects of corporate law and M&A, both domestically and internationally.

Whatever your size, a large publicly listed company or a small privately owned business, we can deliver a tailored, commercial, cost effective solution for you, covering areas such as M&A, private equity, equity capital markets, outsourcing, group restructuring and privatisations. Our cross-border teams consist of experts from all practice areas and sectors such as banking, consumer products, energy, infrastructure, insurance, lifesciences, real estate and construction, hotels and leisure, technology and media. This allows us to understand your specific issues for a transaction and provide you with advice within context, saving time and money and allows us to pinpoint your real commercial issues and risks in a transaction.

CMS proved to have a very strong ability in understanding commercial dynamics and translating them into ideal legal structures.

Chambers & Partners, Global, Corporate/M&A, Switzerland, 2024

The lawyers are very responsive and are always on top of matters.

Chambers & Partners, Global, Corporate/M&A, Switzerland, 2024

The CMS team has great international understanding.

Chambers & Partners, Global, International & Cross-Border Transactions, Switzerland, 2024

High-quality legal advice; trusted adviser; subject-matter experts in employment law and corporate law; very responsive.

IFLR 1000, M&A, client feedback, 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Look well ahead, proactive, available, dedicated, professional, experts.

IFLR 1000, M&A, client feedback, 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Very efficient and cost-sensitive support. Very structured and to the point. Great to work with.

IFLR 1000, M&A, client feedback, 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Large team, profound technical know-how in the active areas, entrepreneurial mindset.

IFLR 1000, M&A, client feedback, 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Hands-on approach, pragmatic, well-versed, experienced, business acumen, understanding of our business, proactiveness, availability.

IFLR 1000, M&A, client feedback, 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Great corporate culture with very humble team members. Experts in every field/area.

The Legal 500, Switzerland, Commercial, Corporate / M&A, 2023

The knowledge of the team, their availability and reactivity.

The Legal 500, Switzerland, Commercial, Corporate / M&A, 2023

Very committed team and very complementary, even during holiday periods. High quality level.

The Legal 500, Switzerland, Commercial, Corporate / M&A, 2023

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Capital Markets and Public M&A
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14/03/2024
CMS Switzerland ranked in Chambers and Partners Europe Guide 2024
Awards & Rankings
22/02/2024
CMS advises Endeavor / On Location on strategic investment in event technology...
A cross-border team from CMS has advised On Location, the Endeavor-owned leader in premium experiences, hospitality, and travel, on its strategic investment in Wiz-Team, a leading event and data management technology solution. The investment will support integration of Wiz-Team’s technology and software across the On Location portfolio, with a focus on enhancing guest registration and communication, accreditation, accommodation, and access con­trol. Already, On Location has partnered with Wiz-Team to enhance guest management services across its marquee VIP experiences, travel, and hospitality offerings, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games (for which On Location is the official, exclusive hospitality provider through to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games), Super Bowl, and the Aer Lingus Classic. A team of CMS Zurich and London, led by partner Dr Daniel Jenny and senior associate Florian Jung (both CMS Zurich) as well as partner Nick Crosbie and senior associate Lauren Wood (both CMS London) has advised Endeavor / On Location on this trans­ac­tion.  The team further consisted of Samuel Gang (senior associate; corporate), Alexander Salamon (attorney trainee; corporate), Christian Gersbach (partner; employment), Miryam Meile (senior associate; employment), Mark Cagienard (partner; tax), Dirk Spacek (partner; IP/IT), Michelle Lindenman (associate; real estate; all CMS Zurich); Tetyana Dovgan (partner; corporate), Mariana Saienko (senior associate; corporate); Ihor Pavliukov (associate; corporate; all CMS Kyiv), Marco Casasole (partner; corporate; corporate), Francesco Capasso (Counsel; corporate), Giusy Lauro (counsel; employment; all CMS Rome), David Prync (partner; corporate), and Ségolène Regout (senior associate; corporate; both CMS Brussels). CMS ZurichDr Daniel Jenny, Partner, Corporate/M&AFlorian Jung, Senior Associate, Corporate/M&ASamuel Gang, Senior Associate, Corporate/M&AAlexander Salamon, Attorney Trainee, Corporate/M&AChristian Gersbach, Partner, EmploymentMiryam Meile, Senior Associate, EmploymentMark Cagienard, Partner, TaxDirk Spacek, Partner, IP/ITMichelle Lindenmann, Associate, Real EstateCMS LondonNick Crosbie, Partner, Corporate/M&ALauren Wood, Senior Associate, Corporate/M&ACMS KyivTetyana Dovgan, Partner, Corporate/M&AMariana Saienko, Senior Associate, Corporate/M&AIhor Pavliukov, Associate, Corporate/M&ACMS RomeMarco Casasole, Partner, Corporate/M&AFrancesco Capasso, Counsel, Corporate/M&AGiusy Lauro, Counsel, Employment CMS Brussels David Prync, Partner, Corporate/M&ASégolène Regout, Senior Associate, Corporate/M&A
16/02/2024
CMS advises AEW on a participation in Partino Mobile Energie AG
AEW Energie AG has acquired a participation of 33% in Partino Mobile Energie AG and strengthens its powers in the area of e-mobility. The transaction announced in November 2023 has now been completed. Partino Mobile Energie AG, with registered office in Oberentfelden, is a renowned supplier of intelligent e-mobility solutions. Special focus is made on load management for charging points and the backend to operate charging points. In cooperation with Partino, AEW has fitted intelligent charging stations to several apartment buildings. AEW has built up comprehensive competences in the area of e-mobility and is a position to offer integrated solutions ranging from carsharing (Swiss E-Car) to mobility as a service. AEW Energie AG targets an active an leading role in the e-mobility sector and seeks to invest in integrated solutions and services. To that end, AEW has already been cooperating with Partino for some time. As a consequence of this successful collaboration, the parties have agreed to joining forces even closer. The participation in Partino rounds off AEW's portfolio in the area of e-mobility perfectly."The demand for innovative e-mobility solutions increase sharply. Thanks to the participation in partino, we can expand our competences and our offering in the area of e-mobility significantly. With Partino, we are in position to implement complex projects efficiently an to offer integrated dynamic load management systems, for example for apartment buildings", says Arian Rohs, Head Mobility Solutions at AEW.A team of CMS led by Alain Raemy and Florian Jung has advised AEW on all legal aspects of this transaction. CMS SwitzerlandAlain Raemy, Partner, CorporateFlorian Jung, Senior Associate, Cor­por­ateAl­ex­an­der Salamon, Attorney Trainee, CorporateMark Cagienard, Partner, TaxDavid Schuler, Senior Associate, TaxMiryam Meile, Senior Associate, EmploymentDirk Spacek, Partner, IP/IT
08/02/2024
CMS advises shareholder on sale of PMJ-tec
Simpson Strong-Tie has acquired PMJ-tec, a Swiss roofing and facade fastener manufacturer specializing in A2, A4 and other high grade corrosion resistant stainless steel products. PMJ-tec, founded in 1975, has its main office and factory in Switzerland and warehouses as well as sales offices in Germany and the Netherlands. Its products, including bi-metal fasteners, carbon steel fasteners and drainage pipe couplers, are engineered with over 45 years of expertise in the construction fastener industry and manufactured in compliance with rigorous internal and external stand­ards.“PMJ-tec is known not only for its superior quality products, but also for its commitment to the clients and service as well as in­nov­a­tion-ori­ented culture, all of which makes it a perfect match for Simpson Strong-Tie. This acquisition introduces bi-metal fasteners to our product portfolio, which is of great strategic importance to us”, explains Fabio Di Clemente Fabio Di Clemente, Director EU Strategy at Simpson Strong-Tie. Simpson Strong-Tie is the world leader in structural solu­tions-products and technology that help people design and build safer, stronger homes, buildings, and communities. A team of CMS led by Dr Daniel Jenny and Florian Jung has advised the seller on all legal aspects of this transaction. CMS SwitzerlandDr Daniel Jenny, Partner, Corporate/M&AFlorian Jung, Senior Associate, Corporate/M&ASamuel Gang, Senior Associate, Corporate/M&AMark Cagienard, Partner, TaxCMS Neth­er­land­sPi­eter van Duijvenvoorde, Partner, Corporate/M&A
06/02/2024
CMS advises Bruker on the agreement to acquire Chemspeed
Bruker Corporation, a NASDAQ-listed US tech company, entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition of Chemspeed Technologies AG, a Swiss provider of vendor-agnostic automated laboratory R&D and QC workflow solutions. Chemspeed is focused on modular automation and robotics solutions for chemical research, pharma drug formulation, materials research for cleantech and consumer applications. The Chemspeed acquisition accelerates Bruker’s entry into lab automation, digitalisation and scientific software solutions. Chemspeed offers modular automation to enhance productivity in R&D and QC departments to achieve more in less time and without additional staff. Chemspeed complements Bruker’s vendor-agnostic plat­form SciY™ for software automation and digital transformation of R&D labs in the life science, biopharma and cleantech industries. An international CMS team headed by Stefan Brunnschweiler and Andrea Relly (Switzerland), in collaboration with the US law firm Nixon Peabody LLP advised Bruker on all legal aspects of the transaction. CMS Switzer­land­Stefan Brunnschweiler, Lead Partner, Corporate / M&AAndrea Relly, Counsel, Corporate / M&ASamuel Gang, Senior Associate, Corporate / M&AAnna Mast, Associate, Corporate / M&AMarquard Christen, Partner, Competition and ComplianceJulia Haas, Senior Associate, Competition and Com­pli­ance­Bernhard Lötscher, Partner, ComplianceSophie Weber, Associate, ComplianceDr Dirk Spacek, Partner, Intellectual PropertyDr Simone Brauch­bar-Birkhäuser, Partner, Intellectual PropertyOlivia Zingg, Associate, Intellectual PropertyMark Cagienard, Partner, TaxJens Lehmann, Senior Associate, TaxMiryam Meile, Senior Associate, Em­ploy­mentSibylle Schnyder, Partner, Real EstateReto Hunsperger, Partner, Com­mer­cialAl­ex­an­der Salamon, Attorney Trainee, Corporate / M&ASophia Rovelli, Attorney Trainee, Corporate / M&AElisabeth Suter, Attorney Trainee, ComplianceCMS BelgiumKai Neuhaus, Partner, Brussel, CompetitionDavid Rappenglück, Associate, Brussel, CompetitionCMS UKRussel Hoare, Partner, Lon­don, Com­pet­i­tion­Claire Barraclough, Associate, Competition
06/02/2024
Employment issues in M&A transactions in Switzerland
A. Share Deal I. Obligations of the purchaser 1. Check whether: In general: no consequences for employment conditions, and no notifications necessary as there is no change of employer. whether any special...
Comparable
16/01/2024
CMS advises Savills on the acquisition of VERBIER HOSPITALITY SA (Verbier...
Savills (Overseas Holdings) Limited, a group company of the Savills Group, acquires VERBIER HOSPITALITY SA, based in Verbier (Val de Bagnes). 
11/01/2024
CMS advised on the sale of Argolite AG to SWISS KRONO Group
Zurich, January 2024 | A team of CMS Switzerland under the lead of Stefan Brunnschweiler and Samuel Felix Gang provided comprehensive advice to the sole shareholder on all legal aspects regarding the sale of Argolite AG to SWISS KRONO Group. The team further consisted of Sibylle Schnyder, David Hürlimann, Andrea Relly, Ferdinand Blezinger, Dominik Penkov and Alexander Salamon. Argolite AG, which was founded in 1937 and operates out of Willisau (Switzerland), has been producing laminates since 1953 and is the only Swiss manufacturer of HPL (High Pressure Laminate) in accordance with the EN438 quality standard, having around 80 employees. Founded in Menznau (Switzerland) in 1966, the SWISS KRONO Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of wood-based materials and stands for sustainable and innovative solutions in the Flooring, Interiors and Building Materials business. SWISS KRONO focuses on recyclable materials for living and working environments. As a preferred partner, SWISS KRONO enables its customers to grow with green building materials. Founded as a family business, the Group is wholly owned by Ines Kaindl-Benes. For the SWISS KRONO Group, the acquisition offers synergies and growth opportunities in an increasingly competitive market and also represents a clear commitment to the home market and the location in Switzerland. Despite the acquisition by the SWISS KRONO Group, Argolite AG will retain its legal independence, the Willisau site and the jobs there. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price of the transaction. CMS Switzer­land­Stefan Brunnschweiler, LL.M., Managing Partner, Head Corporate/M&ASamuel Felix Gang, LL.M., Senior Associate, Corporate/M&AAndrea Relly, Counsel, Corporate/M&ADr Ferdinand Blezinger, LL.M., Senior Associate, Corporate/M&AAlexander Salamon, Attorney Trainee, Corporate/M&ADr Sibylle Schnyder, LL.M., Partner, Real EstateDavid Hürlimann, Managing Partner, TaxDominik Penkov, Associate, Tax
22/12/2023
CMS advises Shareholders of Boldt AG on the sale of their shares to BPI
CMS advised the shareholders of BOLDT AG, Zurich, on the sale of their shares to Bully Pulpit Interactive (BPI). BOLDT is a senior-led European business strategy, public policy and communication consulting firm with more than 50 professionals and offices in Berlin, Brussels, Düsseldorf, London, Oslo as well as Zurich and advises some of the world's largest enterprises on their most critical issues. Boldt will keep its branding and become "BOLDT, a BPI Company". Boldt is focused on delivering business strategy, communications, and stakeholder engagement to transform organisations and performance. BPI is a US outcomes agency at the intersection of business, politics, and policy with offices in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC as well as two-time PRovoke Media Global Public Affairs Agency of the Year. In connection with the transaction, BPI will rebrand as Bully Pulpit International. With the acquisition of BOLDT, BPI enters into the European market and can offer to the customers of the combined enterprise transatlantic services. The combined company will have more than 250 employees in 10 offices in 6 countries. Against the background of pivotal elections in both the U.S. and Europe next year, the world’s most influential leaders and brands need a single best-in-class partner that can deliver a coherent bilateral strategy. With this investment, BPI introduces a bilateral public affairs, campaigning, and strategic communications offering to serve both American and European clients. As the pace of change increases, policy discussions evolve, and stakeholders demand engagement, brands require a cohesive approach across policy and corporate strategy in the U.S. and Europe. For Jeremy Galbraith, Managing Partner of BOLDT, it is an ideal time for BOLDT and BPI to join forces, given the political landscape and the pressures that businesses face to transform in Europe and in the U.S. BPI's and Boldt's service offering and culture are a natural fit. The introduction between BPI and BOLDT, which ultimately culminated in the acquisition of Boldt by BPI, was made by Jon Banner, Global Chief Impact Officer of McDonald's.A CMS team led by Daniel Jenny provided comprehensive legal advice to the shareholders of BOLDT AG in connection with the transaction. CMS ZurichDr Daniel Jenny, Partner, Corporate / M&AMark Cagienard, Partner, TaxChristian Gersbach, Partner, EmploymentDr Ferdinand Blezinger, Senior Associate, Corporate / M&ADr David Schuler, Senior Associate, TaxRafael Gruber, Attorney TraineeCMS LondonJohn Finnemore, Partner, Corporate / M&A
06/12/2023
CMS advises Hunkeler shareholders on the sale of Hunkeler Group to Müller...
Zurich, December 2023After thorough examination, the owner families of Hunkeler AG and Müller Martini AG have decided to merge the Hunkeler Group with the Müller Martini Group. Müller Martini Holding AG has acquired all shares of the Hunkeler Group in this transaction. As part of this deal, the Hunkeler family and Crédit Mutuel Equity have sold all their shares to Müller Mar­tini. Hunkel­er AG and Müller Martini AG are both global market leaders with innovative solutions for post-print paper processing. Both companies focus a significant portion of their innovation efforts on the economical production of personalized print products within an automated smart factory. Through this merger, both firms see significant opportunities to consolidate their innovation activities and better serve their global customer base in the future through joint sales and service activities.A team from CMS Switzerland and CMS London, led by Partner Alain Raemy, provided comprehensive legal advice to the Hunkeler family and Crédit Mutuel Equity. The CMS team consisted of the following experts: CMS SwitzerlandAlain Raemy, Lead Partner, Corporate / M&AMarquard Christen, Partner, RegulatoryAndrea Relly, Counsel, Corporate / M&AAlexander Salamon, Trainee,  Corporate / M&ACMS LondonRussel Hoare, Partner, RegulatoryEmma Waterhouse, Senior Associate, Regulatory
30/11/2023
CMS advises CPI Property Group in the sale of its Crans-Montana mountain...
Geneva, 1 Decem­ber 2023Last Wednesday, 29 November 2023, CPIPG entered into a binding agreement for the sale of ski resort infrastructure assets in the Crans-Montana Mountain Resort valuated at more than of CHF 110 million. The deal covers approximately 84-percent ownership stake in Remontées Mécaniques Crans Montana Aminona (CMA) SA, which controls and runs all the resort's lifts, in addition to several other key assets and properties, including restaurant outlets and a ski school business. The seller, CPIPG – a leading real-estate portfolio company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange – is one of the largest owners of in­come-gen­er­at­ing real estate across Europe. The purchaser, Vail Resorts – a premier US-based mountain resort company listed on the New York Stock Exchange – operates ski resorts across North America, Switzerland and Australia. Partner Pascal Favre leads the CMS Corporate/M&A team in Geneva advising CPIPG and handling all legal aspects of this transaction on the seller-side. The team further includes Sr. Associate Audrey Durand, Associate Aye Al-Jarrah and Trainee David Müller. Our lawyers work across the table from Lenz & Staehelin's team led by Partner Beat Kühni and composed of Partners Tino Gaberthüel and Fabiano Menghini, as well as Associates Stephanie Buschta, Ann Francesca Weibel and Vincent Huynh Dac. CMS Switzer­land­Dr Pas­cal Favre, Lead Partner, Corporate / M&AAudrey Durand, Senior Associate, Corporate / M&AAye Al-Jar­rah, As­so­ci­ate, Corporate / M&ADavid Müller, Train­ee, Corporate / M&ALenz & Staehelin Beat Kühni, Lead PartnerTino Gaberthüel, PartnerFabiano Menghini, PartnerStephanie Buschta, Associate Ann Francesca Weibel, AssociateVincent Huynh Dac, Associate
06/11/2023
CMS advised Float on the Issuance of a Tokenized Debt Instrument
Zurich,  Novem­ber 2023A team of CMS Switzerland and CMS Luxembourg, lead by partner Matthias Kuert, advised Float Finance AB, Stockholm, Sweden, on legal and tax aspects of a tokenized debt instrument issued under Swiss law by a Luxembourg Special Purpose Vehicle. The instrument labelled FLOAT1 is one of Europe's first private debt asset tokens, and a great example of a tokenized financial instrument issued under the landmark Swiss DLT legal framework. The FLOAT1 token offers investors access to a diversified portfolio of private SME loans to European SaaS and technology businesses. Float worked together with banking partner Sygnum Bank AG, Zurich, Switzerland, and senior lender, Fasanara Capital Ltd, London, England (one of Europe's largest FinTech credit funds), to tokenize and issue the debt instrument within a fully regulated environment. By way of the FLOAT1 token, Float brings illiquid real-world financial assets onto the Polygon Labs blockchain to make them accessible to investors and tradeable. Float, Sygnum Bank, Fasanara Capital and CMS closely collaborated to make the issuance of the FLOAT1 token happen. The CMS team consisted of the following professionals: CMS SwitzerlandDr Matthias Kuert, Lead Partner, Capital Markets / Fintech & BlockchainTina Balzli, Partner, Fintech & BlockchainDr Ferdinand Blezinger, Senior Associate, Corporate / M&AAlina Fancelli, Associate, Capital MarketsMark Cagienard, Partner, TaxDr David Schuler, Senior Associate, TaxCMS Lux­em­bour­gAuréli­en Hollard, Partner, Investment FundsGeorgios Kortesis, Managing Associate, Capital Markets & BlockchainJosé Juan Ocaña, Senior Associate, Capital Markets & Block­chain­Stamat­ina Stylianopoulou, Associate, Capital Markets & Block­chain­Frédéric Feyten, Managing Partner and Partner, TaxAlejandro Domínguez Becerra, Senior Counsel, TaxSarah Lemaire, Managing Associate, TaxVicente Chapa, Associate, Tax