Stuttgart – Hydro Systems KG, based in Biberach (Baden-Württemberg), and Rhinestahl, which is headquartered in Cincinnati, USA, have merged to become R-H Aviation. The two aviation suppliers are aiming to boost their market position, achieve continued growth and create a new global industry champion for ground support equipment (GSE) and tooling. They are also seeking to play a greater role in speeding up decarbonisation. In addition, the merger marks the completion of a succession arrangement for Hydro Systems KG. R-H Aviation’s headquarters is located in Cincinnati, but Hydro Systems will remain in Biberach and the location will be further strengthened. Other details of the transaction were not disclosed.
An international CMS team headed by lead partners Dr Maximilian Grub and Dr Kai Wallisch advised the shareholder of Hydro Systems on all legal aspects of the merger. A particular focus was on structuring the transaction from a corporate and tax law viewpoint, the merger control and foreign trade approval procedures, and on financing issues.
Hydro Systems has around 650 employees. For some 60 years, it has been developing and producing innovative solutions for the assembly, maintenance and repair of civil and military aircraft. In addition to its main site in Biberach, the company has locations in Germany, China, the UK, France, Singapore, the US and the United Arab Emirates. Hydro’s business areas include GSE, tooling (with a focus on Airbus and Rolls-Royce) and worldwide service.
CMS Germany
Dr Maximilian Grub, Lead Partner
Dr Kai Wallisch, Partner, Lead Partner
Dr Christian Zielonka, Principal Counsel
Birgit Schlemmer, Senior Associate
Militsa Decheva Petrova, Senior Associate
Yella Schick, Associate
Kathrin Dengel, Associate, all Corporate/M&A
Dr Christian Friedrich Haellmigk, Partner
Kai Neuhaus, Partner
David Rappenglück, Associate
Malena Hansen, Senior Associate, all Antitrust, Competition & Trade
Dr Martin Mohr, Partner
Dr Olaf Thießen, Principal Counsel
Lukas Braun, Senior Associate
Tobias Wacker, Associate, all Tax
Dr Volker Zerr, Partner
Michelle Schickinger, Senior Associate
Maike Füchtmann, Senior Associate, all Real Estate & Public
Dr Marc Seibold, Partner
Carl Werner, Principal Counsel
Dr Andreas Grunert, Principal Counsel
Julian Lacher, Senior Associate
Carla Kaeber, Associate, all Banking, Finance & Insurance
CMS Shanghai
Michael Munzinger, Counsel
Ran Li, Associate
Locke Lord, Houston, Texas
Edward A. Razim III, Partner
Jaremy Chilton, Tax Partner
Press Contact
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