Michiel Pannekoek
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Michiel is a partner in our Corporate practice group and one of the most prominent corporate and private equity lawyers in the Netherlands with over 25 years' experience. He specialises in corporate transactions, including public and private mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and strategic capital markets and governance.
In his career, Michiel has advised on more than 200 transactions both on strategic M&A and private equity. With his economic and financial background and experience, Michiel is adept at advising on all aspects of the transaction or situation at hand.
He focuses on advising in the context of cross-border transactions, restructuring transactions, complex joint ventures, large scale projects and carve-outs in an array of industries including renewables, circular economy and infrastructure. Michiel provides broad corporate advice as a boardroom adviser to several listed and non-listed companies and investors. He also advises on the redomiciliation of foreign listed companies to the Netherlands.
Michiel served on Houthoff's Executive Committee until 2018. Between 2010 and 2014, he headed the Corporate/M&A Practice Group. As Head of the International Board, he is responsible for the international strategy and continuous strengthening of the firm's international network.
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“A client says that 'he is business-oriented and smart in identifying legal solutions for business problems. He has the technical competence joined with business intelligence'.”Chambers Global & Europe, Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability (2024 Edition) -
RecommendedLegal 500, Private Equity (2024 Edition)
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RecommendedLegal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A (2024 Edition)
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RecommendedLegal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A (2023 Edition)
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RecommendedChambers Global & Europe, Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability (2022 Edition)
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RecommendedLegal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A (2022 Edition)
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RecommendedLegal 500, Private Equity (2022 Edition)
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“Interviewees commend him for his clear counsel, one characterising him as ‘a very good communicator.’”Chambers Global, Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability (2021 Edition)
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RecommendedLegal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A (2021 Edition)
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RecommendedLegal 500, Private Equity (2021 Edition)
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"Michiel Pannekoek is admired by one interviewee for being a 'pragmatic, hands-on lawyer who really builds trust with clients'"Chambers Global & Europe, Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability (2020 Edition)
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“Michiel Pannekoek is admired by one interviewee for being a ‘pragmatic, hands-on lawyer who really builds trust with clients.’”Chambers Europe, Private Equity (2020 Edition)
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“Michiel Pannekoek is a creative, entrepreneurial legal advisor who always comes up with a working solution. He thinks as an entrepreneur and is a pleasure to work with.”Legal 500, Private Equity (2020 Edition)
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RecommendedLegal 500, Commercial, Corporate and M&A (2020 Edition)
Moreover, Michiel serves as a member of the Firm’s Supervisory Board.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- Law (University of Groningen)
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Advised Titan, a leading independent liquified biomethane (LBM/bio-LNG) and LNG supplier to the maritime and industrial sectors, on a successful funding round leading to InfraVia obtaining (through one of its investment vehicles) a 45% equity stake in Titan.
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Advised SPS Commerce, Inc. on the acquisition of all business and operations of TIE Kinetix, listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
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Advised the (future) 50/50 joint venture between Sasol and Topsoe on the establishment and signing of a joint venture agreement solidifying both parties' commitment to produce sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and contribute to global efforts in combating climate change.
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Advised Authentix Inc on the acquisition of Koninklijke Joh. Enschedé.
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Advised Sligro Food Group on the acquisition of the majority of wholesaler Metro’s activities in Belgium
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Advised Ariston Holding N.V on the acquisition of CENTROTEC Climate Systems GmbH.
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Advised PO Söderberg & Partner Aktiebolag on the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Summa Holding B.V.
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Assisted H2 Equity Partners in the sale of its portfolio company Dutch Seafood Company, trading as ''Foppen'', to the listed company Hilton Food Group.
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Advised Barentz International, a leading global life science ingredients distributor, together with Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, on an agreement to acquire a majority stake in the distribution activities of Gangwal Chemicals Private Limited.
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Advised Ariston Holding N.V., a global player in sustainable comfort solutions for hot water and space heating with the initial public offering of its ordinary shares to certain institutional investors and admission to listing and trading of its ordinary shares on Euronext Milan.
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Advising Platinum Equity Advisors LLC on the acquisition of Continental Bakeries.
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Advised the New York based private equity firm Crestview Partners, together with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, on the acquisition of TenCate Grass from Royal TenCate.
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Houthoff advised BlueAlp in respect of the acquisition by Shell Ventures B.V. of a 21.25% minority stake in BlueAlp Holding B.V., as well as regarding the commercial partnership entered into between BlueAlp and Shell Ventures B.V., including the cooperation to build two new conversion plants in the Netherlands.
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Advised and represented Egeria on the sale of Dutch Bakery Group B.V. to investment manager 3i Group PLC.
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Advised PRO Unlimited on the acquisition of the Dutch Brainnet Group, both are vendor-neutral managed service providers (MSPs).
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Assisted GEA in the sale of Royal De Boer Stalinrichtingen B.V. and Japy SAS to Mutares SE & Co. KGaA.
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Assisted Söderberg & Partners with the acquisition of a minority stake in Van Loon. The group companies of Van Loon provide advisory and administrative services concerning insurances and other financial products to individuals and companies.
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Houthoff advised the shareholders of ControlPay on the sale of the shares in ControlPay to Transporeon.
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Advised Arcis on the acquisition and transfer of all shares in Axender BV and the participation of Axender Holding in Arcis. As a result, Arcis is now a consortium consisting of four parties: Beheermaatschappij Em. De Jong BV, Print Nerds BV, Shatho Beheer BV and Axender Holding BV. Axender will continue under Spotta's name and deliver flyers to about 5.7 million households on a weekly basis.
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Advised Permobil AB on the contemplated acquisition of the shares in the capital of Supportec B.V., a leading Dutch manufacturer of customised molded seating.
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Advised Söderberg & Partners with the acquisition of a minority stake in Kröller Boom Assurantiën B.V. Kröller Boom, founded in 2005, has an annual turnover of EUR 5 million and employs 20 employees. The insurance broker offers insurances against fire, liability and cybercrime to medium-sized companies. The transaction is still subject to AFM approval.
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Assisted Söderberg & Partners with the acquisition of a minority stake in Herenvest Groep Beheer B.V. Herenvest Group consists of four advisory companies: Herenvest, Herenvest Corporate, Expat Mortgages and Inside Case Management. Herenvest is an independent financial advisory firm, specialised in the business market. The transaction is still subject to AFM approval.
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Advised the LOI, one the largest private educational institutions in the Netherlands, on the sale of the nearly 100-year-old family business to the NCOI, one of its close competitors.
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Advised the on the Toronto Stock Exchange listed WSP Global Inc., one of the world's leading professional services firms providing engineering and design services to clients in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Environment, Power&Energy, Resources and Industry sector as well as offering strategic advisory services, on the acquisition of multidisciplinary consultancy- and engineering firm Lievense
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Assisted Shenzhen Goodix Technology Co. with its agreement with NXP Semiconductors under which it will acquire all assets of NXP Semiconductors' Voice and Audio Solutions (VAS) for USD 165 million.
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Houthoff assisted Royal IHC in the sale of its subsidiary Vremac Cylinders to Vydraulics. Vremac Cylinders is a modern designer and manufacturer of hydraulic cylinders, swivels and piston accumulators. Its products are designed to operate in harsh conditions in the dredging, offshore, civil engineering (bridges and lock gates) and heavy machinery markets.
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Houthoff advised Sligro Food Group N.V. with the proposed acquisition of the shares in Exploitatiemaatschappij Wheere B.V. by Sligro Food Group Nederland B.V. This will include the activities of Vroegop Ruhe & Co B.V., consisting of food wholesaler De Kweker, Vroegop AGF and freight company L.A.J. Duncker.
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Houthoff advised Navitas Capital on the sale and transfer of Partou to KidsFoundation. The owner of KidsFoundation – the English private equity firm Onex – will become the new owner of Partou, together with the Dutch private equity firm Waterland. Partou and KidsFoundation both provide child and toddler care services in the Netherlands, including day care, after-school care and pre-school/early childhood education facilities.
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Advised Sandd in the sale and transfer of Sandd to PostNL for an amount of EUR 130 million. This transaction resulted in the acquisition of almost the entire postal market by PostNL.
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Houthoff advised the sellers on the sale of Mendix to Siemens. Mendix was founded in Rotterdam (2005) by, amongst others, Derek Roos and Derckjan Kruit and offers a low-code software platform for the development and implementation of applications.
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Advised H2 Equity Partners on the sale of Reparenco, a Dutch paper and recycling business, to Smurfit Kappa Group plc for a cash consideration of approximately €460 million. Smurfit Kappa Group plc is one of the world's largest integrated manufacturers of paper-based packaging products with operations in Europe and the Americas.
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Houthoff advised Poiesz Supermarkten B.V., a chain of supermarkets in the Northern Netherlands, on the acquisition of Zorggroep Friesland B.V., sole shareholder of Van Smaak B.V.. Van Smaak B.V. delivers meals to healthcare institutions and individual customers and has the whole relating process (including the purchase of the raw materials, processing and logistics) in house.
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Represented the shareholders of Boal in the sale of a majority stake in Boal Group to Equistone Partners Europe. Headquartered in Naaldwijk, the Netherlands, BOAL Group has 48 years of experience in designing and manufacturing aluminium roofing and sidewall systems for greenhouses and holds a market leading position in the horticultural greenhouse industry. It also supplies the construction, engineering, and transport sectors with aluminium extrusions.
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Represented Sandd in the acquisition of Van Straaten Post from its previous owners. The combined group is able to service the 24-, 48- and 72- hours postal market throughout the work week with national coverage. The acquisition is part of Sandd’s strategy to become a real alternative on the Dutch postal market.
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Houthoff advises Tofane Global on the acquisition of iBasis from KPN. This acquisition is the first milestone in the intended strategy of the Paris-based company. By means of acquisitions and digital transitions, Tofane Global aims to become the market leader in worldwide telephone services. After the completion of the acquisition, Tofane Global and iBasis will continue to work with KPN as strategic partners.
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Houthoff represented Sligro Food Group on the sale of its foodretail business EMTÉ to a consortium formed by foodretailers Jumbo and Coop as well as the separate real estate transaction for 27 store locations. The EMTÉ business is integrated into the businesses of Jumbo and Coop respectively.
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Houthoff advised Oerlemans Foods Nederland B.V./H2 on the sale of its frozen potato processing division to Lamb-Weston/Meijer V.O.F. through a sale of all shares in Oerlemans Foods Nederland B.V. to Lamb-Weston/Meijer V.O.F.
