Private Equity

Houthoff’s Private Equity Team has more than 20 years of experience in assisting private equity players with transactions and the associated structuring issues – from the initial acquisition of a new portfolio company (including the often complex financing and structuring issues involved in this) to the exit.

Our specialists have a thorough understanding of the drivers behind the transactions we assist with, and know what is happening on the national and international markets. This makes them an effective sparring partner for our clients – not only on a legal level, but also on a strategic, commercial and economic level.

"A client mentions: ‘The team excels at being pragmatic while giving comfort on key legal points and always with a smile – very pleasant and effective collaboration’."
Legal 500, Private Equity (2024 edition)
"One client said: 'The Houthoff PE team are excellent legal advisers, helping us manage the legal and commercial aspects of our acquisitions. They understand the peculiar needs and interests of PE-backed companies and have great international experience with all aspects of transactions, whether on the buy-side or the sell-side. They are exceptional transaction lawyers.’"

Legal 500, Private Equity (2023 Edition)
Recommended
Legal 500, Private Equity (2023 Edition)
“The Houthoff M&A team is extremely dedicated. They are a full extention of the deal team in many aspects. Of course, they provide top-quality legal advise, and they do this in a pragmatic and effective way. They are very effective negotiators to win key points in the deal. And they are a great team to work with.”
Legal 500, Private Equity (2020 Edition)
“One of the Netherlands’ leading PE teams – and deservedly so. Responsive, hands-on, creative and solution-oriented.”
Legal 500, Private Equity (2020 Edition)

Over the years, our Private Equity Team has become the go-to adviser for many reputable private equity clients, including local private equity funds that focus mainly on the Dutch market, family offices and large international private equity funds. The team is now internationally recognised as a highly effective dealmaker with an unrivalled track record.

Clients engage our private equity specialists for their deal-driven approach and use of clear, accessible language in transaction documents. Our specialists understand that clients need carefully considered advice, but in a way that works for them: practical, understandable and efficient. Our multi-disciplinary Private Equity Team works closely with our experts in all of the areas that are relevant for transactions.

Highlighted Matters
Advised Lumileds, a global leader in innovative lighting solutions, in its comprehensive financial restructuring. Lumileds emerged from a Chapter 11, resulting in a leadership transition and a funded debt reduction of approximately USD 1.4 billion.
Highlighted Matters
Advised European private equity firm CastikCapital on the acquisition of TBAuctions, a leading European online auction platform.
Highlighted Matters
Advising Platinum Equity Advisors LLC on the acquisition of Continental Bakeries.
Highlighted Matters
Advised and represented Argos Wityu on the acquisition of Schenk Tanktransport.
Highlighted Matters
Advising Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm, on its acquisition of Talend, a leader in data integration and data integrity and Nasdaq listed, by means of a cash tender offer at approximately USD 2.4 billion.
Highlighted Matters
Represented Xebia, a portfolio company of Waterland Private Equity, in connection with the acquisition of Oblivion Cloud Control.
Highlighted Matters
Advised B&C Industrieholding GmbH, together with CERHA HEMPEL, on the acquisition of 80% stake in the Schur Flexibles Group, which has an enterprise value of around EUR 900m and four production sites in the Netherlands.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Powersports Distribution Group B.V. on the acquisition of the shares in Motovest Beheer B.V., a leading European player with the largest selection of leading brands in niche aftermarket motorcycle parts.
Highlighted Matters
Advised L Catterton on the acquisition of a majority stake in the BIRKENSTOCK Group. Houthoff worked jointly with Kirkland & Ellis on this transaction.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Castik Capital S.à r.l., a Luxembourg-based private equity firm, on its acquisition of a majority stake in Customs Support Group (CSG).
Highlighted Matters
Assisted Trustbridge Partners with a USD 200 million follow-on investment in WeWork China.
Highlighted Matters
Houthoff, together with Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, advised Atlas Holdings LLC on the acquisition of the Permasteelisa Group from LIXIL Group Corporations (Japan).
Highlighted Matters
Advised Doughty Hanson on the sale of Zobele Group to Knowlton Development Corporation. Zobele Group is a world leader in the business segments of Air Care and Pest Control and a global player in Health & Personal Care and Fabric & Laundry Care.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Equistone Partners Europe Ltd., (former Barclays Private Equity) on the acquisition of all shares of the Unlimited Footwear Group, a group of companies consisting of Shoes Unlimited, Trend Design and Star Collections. Equistone’s investment in Unlimited Footwear Group represents an attractive opportunity for new partnerships with third-party brands and scope to increase further market penetration in North America as well as Central and Southern Europe.