Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advises Neapco on the acquisition of IFA Group

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advised US-based Neapco Holdings, LLC, a leading global provider of driveline solutions, on its acquisition of drive shafts and joints manufacturer IFA Group. The seller is Munich-based industrial group AEQUITA, which acquired IFA Group in 2022.  

The transaction will create one of the world's largest driveline systems group, with more than 5,000 employees and sales of around US$ 2 billion. The combined company will offer an expanded technology and product portfolio and an even broader range of driveline technologies for combustion engines, hybrid and electric vehicles. 

IFA Group, based in Haldensleben, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, is a leading supplier to the automotive industry, specialising in drive shafts and joints. IFA employs around 2,000 people at seven locations in Germany, the USA, China and Poland.  

Neapco, founded in 1921 and headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, develops, manufactures, and distributes high-quality powertrain products for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and agricultural and industrial applications. Neapco has more than 3,300 employees across 13 locations.  

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advised Neapco with the following team:

Finance/Restructuring: Dr Fritz Kleweta (Partner, Lead); Associates: Marc Soltau, Florian Möller (all Frankfurt) 
Corporate/M&A: Dr Christian Johnen (Co-Lead), Dr Nikita Tkatschenko (both Partners, Düsseldorf), Associates: Marjel Dema, Sören Flecks, Franciska Meier, Nastasja Bührmann, Tobias Beuker, Dr Sven Büttner (all Düsseldorf) 
Antitrust: Dr Marcel Nuys (Partner); Associates: Mirko Gleitsmann, Dr Lennard Posser (all Düsseldorf) 
Disputes: Thorsten Matthies (Partner), Associate: Lewin Klusmann (beide Düsseldorf 
IP: Dr Ina vom Feld (Partner), Associates: Maximilian Martini, Julia Ngoc Anh Nguyen, Paula Cürten (all Düsseldorf) 
Regulatory: Dr Marius Boewe (Partner); Associates: Dr Dejan Einfeldt, Jan Diedrichs (all Düsseldorf) 
Employment: Moritz Kunz (Partner), Associates: Dr Simone Ziegler, Dr Majaani Hachmeister (all Frankfurt) 
Real Estate: Stefanie Herkert (Partner), Hannes Riedel (Counsel; both Frankfurt) 
Tax: Dr Steffen Hörner (Partner), Associate: Tatiana Günster (both Frankfurt)