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Taylor Wessing Advises Gima Family on Sale of Ryba Kosice and Calmar to Tauris

Taylor Wessing Advises Gima Family on Sale of Ryba Kosice and Calmar to Tauris

Slovakia
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Taylor Wessing has advised the Gima family — shareholders of Slovakian food producer Ryba Kosice and its distribution company Calmar — in the divesture of their shareholding in the companies to Slovak meat-processing group Tauris, a member of Eco-Invest group. Barger Prekop advised the buyers on the deal.

According to Taylor Wessing, "the core business of the two targets is food producing (focusing on fish and seafood products) and distribution of food products." The transaction, which was structured as a share deal, closed in September 2016. 

Ryba Kosice is a family-business with a 70-year history based in Kosice, Slovakia, and Taylor Wessing describes it as "one of the leading privately owned food producers in the country." The firm reports that, "through constant innovation and smart marketing of traditional local deli products, Ryba Kosice managed to build brand awareness within a highly competitive consumer segment. Its ability to win exclusive frozen foods distribution contracts, attributed in part to its efficient in-house logistics operated under the Calmar affiliate company, allowed Ryba Kosice to remain competitive amongst foods chains clients but also strengthen its position within the HORECA market and thus had secured growth for the business."

Taylor Wessing provided legal advice during negotiations and drafting of the transaction documentation, closing of the deal and antimonopoly clearance process. The firm's team consisted of Partner Juraj Frindrich, who commented that "the challenging part was to balance the expectations and concessions of a big corporation and the shareholder family." Frindrich was supported by Junior Associate Tomas Korman. 

KPMG Deal Advisory acted as financial advisor to the sellers.

Jozef Gima Jr., the Managing Director and Shareholder of Ryba Kosice, commented that: "We are pleased that Ryba Kosice joins a strong group, which gives it the possibility to expand further and profit from synergies and financial strength of Tauris and Eco-Invest. The involvement of both KPMG and Taylor Wessing was essential for successful finalization and execution of the transaction."

Barger Prekop did not reply to our inquiry on the matter.

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