Category: News

2016

On December 2015 Gategroup reached an agreement to acquire 100% ownership in Inflight Service Group from funds advised by Triton, a private equity company in the Nordic region, at an enterprise value of SEK 1.1 billion. The transaction is subject to the approval of the Polish antitrust authorities, with closing expected in February 2016.

Founded in 1991, Inflight Service is the leading operator in the Nordic travel retail market, with strong presence in Eastern Europe and emerging presence in other European markets. Inflight Service is headquartered in Kista, Sweden. The company is a leading travel retail specialist with revenues in excess of SEK 2 billion primarily focused on airline retailing, ferry retailing and the operation of airport shops alongside a small presence in wholesale and retail services.

Gategroup is the leading independent global provider of products, services and solutions related to a passenger’s on-board experience.
Gategroup was advised by TARK in co-operation with Swedish law firm Mannheimer Swartling.

2016

TARK has successfully represented payment institution GFC Good Finance Company AS before the Estonian Financial Supervision Authority in the proceedings for application of the cross-border payment services provision in Republic of Poland. As from 29 February 2016, GFC Good Finance Company AS can render payment services including issuance the payment cards in the territory of Poland.

2014

TARK represented and advised Malsena Group – one of the largest and most advanced grain processing industrial groups in in the Baltics, and its major shareholder Amber Trust II S.C.A (one of the largest venture capital funds in the Baltics with the capital of EUR 150 million) in the acquisition of Balti Veski, one of the most popular food manufacturers and major players in Estonian grain products market. The law firm provided full transaction support, including due diligence.

Balti Veski was owned by Helsingin Mylly Oy, a significant processor of grain based products in Finland specializing in organic products and is today Finland’s largest processor of organic grains. The transaction was complex cross-border transaction led by Vilnius office. Close coordination and mutual work of the firm’s offices in Estonia and Lithuania, practical approach of the firm assisted the client in executing and successfully completing the deal.

This is the second acquisition for Malsena Group in the Baltics and the second advised by TARK. Last year the group completed acquisition of Rigas Dzirnavnieks, the leading flour production company in Latvia. As a result Malsena has successfully become the first pan-Baltic grain processor. “This acquisition provides win-win situation. On the one hand Malsena is about to produce even tastier and healthier products, on the other – we will bring additional effectiveness into our work and management on daily basis. Covering the entire Baltic region creates synergy and continuous supply chain, strengthens our market position, and provides even wider selection to the customers”, says Migonis.

2015

One of the world’s leading legal directories Chambers Global commends as “Eminent Practitioners” TARK GRUNTE SUTKIENE’s partners Eugenija Sutkienė, Aare Tark and Valentinas Mikelėnas for their work in the fields of corporate and commercial law and dispute resolution.
According to the guide, firm‘s Lithuanian managing partner Eugenija Sutkienė maintains a very strong reputation for corporate and M&A work. “Clients know her and like her; her reputation is excellent,” said the clients. Estonian managing partner Aare Tark receives praise from clients for his “tremendous contact network in Estonia and the Baltics.” His practice focuses on corporate and commercial law and also includes advice on contentious matters. Valentinas Mikeltaunoėnas is a well-known figure in dispute resolution, with both academic and practical expertise in Lithuanian civil law and international private law.
Chambers Global describes „Eminent Practitioners” as highly influential lawyers in a particular practice area who, due to managerial or client relationship commitments, are less active in day-to-day work but remain key players in the team.

TARK GRUNTE SUTKIENE Estonian office has been top ranked (Band 1) in corporate and commercial category again.

Chambers Global is highly respected within the legal industry as the most authoritative source for legal rankings. Chambers Global 2015 researches the legal markets of more than 180 countries, identifying the leading lawyers and law firms. Worldwide-researchers conduct thousands of interviews with clients, industry experts and lawyers. Directory‘s rankings are based on legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness, diligence and commitment to the client.

Ingman Development OY, a subsidiary of Ingman Group OY Ab, acquired 45% of the investment firm Masa Kapital OÜ. Masa Kapital holds a 100% stake in the Hagar bakery and Nedholm Design, a manufacturer of wooden interior design items.

Avo Kaasik, who used to be the sole shareholder of Masa Kapital before the transaction, noted that Ingman Group is a highly recognised and valued investor with long-term experience in the food industry with whom he plans to develop the existing companies and make further investments in the future.

“Estonia offers a good investment climate and many investment opportunities”, said Peter Ingman when commenting on the reasons for the investment and added that in Avo Kaasik and Masa Kapital they now have a local partner for expanding their current portfolio companies and for making new investments in the Baltic region.

2015

The Lawyer, one of the most influential European law publications, aarded “The law firm of the year: The Baltics 2015” to law firm Tark Grunte Sutkiene. The internationally recognised award was granted to Tark Grunte Sutkiene for successful participation in the major transactions in the region last year.
‘The Lawyer’s award is the acknowledgement of our firm’s vision, long-term strategic objectives and the professionalism of the team by the international legal community. We are convinced that lawyers must be not only legal experts – our skills to help to achieve objectives and find solutions in the best interests of the client create real added value for clients’, Eugenija Sutkienė said.

Aare Tark added: ‘The award is clear signal about our outstanding position in the Baltic legal market. This great recognition was gained for truly focusing on what is important for the client’s business and delivering a complete solution with the highest standards and uncompromised quality.’
The Lawyer assessed the law firm’s lasting achievements and professional experience in administrating bankrupt banks in Lithuania (Ūkio bankas) and Latvia (AS Latvijas Krājbanka) and developing large-scale projects of national importance, such as the construction of the liquefied natural gas terminal in Klaipėda and other significant projects.

Since 1990, Tark Grunte Sutkiene has been advising on the majority of the largest and most significant transactions in the Baltic region; the firm participated in developing and implementing 16 out of 20 important national projects in the Baltic States and currently represents Lithuania in international arbitration against Gazprom. The firm has been advising many landmark projects in Estonia, e.g. on the acquisition of Hansapank by Swedbank, the largest M&A transaction in the Baltics.
In 2010-2014, the law firm implemented over 100 large corporate mergers and acquisition transactions worth over EUR 3 billion. Today the law firm is one of the most experienced Baltic law firms in business law.

Prestigious law publication The Lawyer selects “The law firm of the year” in 25 categories throughout Europe. Tark Grunte Sutkiene was nominated “Best European Law Firm” for the first time in the history of the Baltic States. The awards panel composed of managing partners of international law firms and counsels of multinational companies chooses the winners. Key selection criteria are strategic vision, deep partnership relationship, strong financial situation and its improvement, perpetual impeccable results in the selected sectors, and excellent talent management.

TARK advised Askembla Growth Fund on the sale of its entire shareholding in Bauhof Group AS and My Fitness AS to MyInvest Estonia OÜ.

The Stockholm-based private equity fund Askembla Growth Fund decided to sell its holdings in different companies in the Baltic States. The shares were bought by MyInvest Estonia OÜ, a company founded by the current shareholders and managers of Bauhof and MyFitness as well as advisors to the transaction. The deal was financed by SEB Estonia.

Martti Talgre, Head of Corporate Clients Department at SEB, said to the business daily Äripäev that the transaction shows the confidence of Estonian businesses in the positive outlook for Estonian economy.

The sales of the Bauhof group amounted to €98m in 2012. The retail chain sells construction materials and gardening goods in twelve stores in Estonia and employs more than 400 people. In addition, Bauhof has five stores in Lithuania.
My Fitness AS owns a chain of eight fitness clubs in Estonia with more than 11,000 active members.

2015

TARK advised ACTA, the holding company of Kiwa and Shield Group International, on the acquisition of Inspecta in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Inspecta is the leading Nordic player in the testing, inspection and certification (TIC) industry with operations in 8 countries.

2014

E24 business portal published recently a list of the key company purchase transactions in Estonia in 2013. Half of the six key transactions were advised on by TARK. Among others, TARK advised on the sale of shares in Starman to East Capital, which is the most important deal of the year both in terms of the value of the transaction and its international scope.

TARK also acted as advisor on the sale of Bauhof and My Fitness by Askembla Growth Fund to Estonian investors and on the sale of Sportland to Sports Direct. All transactions were among the six key transactions in Estonia in 2013.