Industrials
We advise the world’s leading industrial sector clients on their most critical business issues and help them navigate the rapidly evolving industrials landscape.
The industrials sector is being revolutionised by new, highly efficient technologies and production methods, particularly when it comes to digital analysis and data connection across the entire production supply chain, often in turn feeding machine learning and AI systems. At the same time, new collaborations are being formed as businesses search for innovation, ESG resilience, competitiveness, diversified supply chains and growth.
In this rapidly changing environment, we support our clients with executing complex public and private acquisitions, JVs and investments while strategically managing and defending their intellectual property, navigating global regulations, and dealing with cross-border risks and crises, including in the evolving landscape of antitrust and FDI enforcement.
Our expertise encompasses a wide range of areas, including M&A, JVs, IP, antitrust and regulatory compliance (including foreign direct investment advice, foreign subsidies regulation and others), ESG matters, commercial contracts, tax matters, and many others. With our deep industry knowledge, we provide valuable guidance to industrials clients, ensuring they can make the best strategic decisions and achieve their business objectives.
Our clients include groups active in heavy industry, automotive OEMs, chemicals producers, conglomerates and trading houses, as well as machining, paper, wood, building material and packaging businesses. By partnering with us, industrials clients are kept up to date with the latest market practices as well as industry trends and regulations and can capitalise on opportunities arising from new technologies and collaborations.
Recent client successes
Advising Stanley Black & Decker on the $3.2bn sale of its global electronic security solutions and healthcare solutions businesses to Securitas AB.
Advising Saint-Gobain on several transactions, including on the $2.3bn Construction Chemicals Merger with GCP Applied Technologies.
We also advised on the £740m sale of its distribution business in the UK – including the builders and timber merchant Jewson – to the Stark group.
Read more in our releases:
Advising BorgWarner on the separation of its global fuel systems and aftermarket business.
BorgWarner subsequently spun off the business segment into a separate public company named PHINIA, Inc., which started trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol PHIN on 5 July 2023.
Advising Sonoco Products Company on its $1.35bn acquisition of sustainable metal packager, Ball Metalpack, as well as on its SEC registered $1.2bn green bond offering
Advising Cargill and the buyer consortium in its $4.5bn acquisition of publicly listed Sanderson Farms
The multi-faceted transaction included the formation of a new JV between Cargill and Continental Grain.
Awards & Recognitions
Winner of Benchmark Litigation’s 2023 US Case Impact Award for work on 3M Company Securities Litigation
Related capabilities
"Freshfields offers an excellent team with a wide range and high level of commitment, especially when it comes to complex and diverse topics."
"Very competent and committed team with very good project and time management skills, the support and proximity to the client is excellent."
"Their team is very well resourced, with a broad range of subject matter experts."
