On June 25, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Alfa Aesar, a leading global manufacturer of research chemicals and part of Johnson Matthey Plc, for £256 million (approximately $405 million) in cash.
Based in Heysham, United Kingdom, Alfa Aesar has 480 employees and operates in key research hubs in the United States, Germany, China, South Korea and India. The business generated sales of approximately £78 million (or $125 million) in 2014. The transaction, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2015, is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Alfa Aesar will be integrated into Thermo Fisher's Laboratory Products and Services Segment.
WilmerHale represented longtime client Thermo Fisher in this transaction. The deal team was led by Partners Hal Leibowitz and Joe Wyatt and included Partners Joe Pillman, David Andrews, Keith Barnett, Robert Burke, Christian Crones, Belinda Juran, Amy Null, Laura Schneider, Holger Thomas and Kenneth Zhou; Counsels Ciara Baker, Tamsin Crane, Olaf Weiß and Golo Weidmann; Senior Associate Andrew Stauber; and Associates Julie Fogarty and Tim Kulis.
Thermo Fisher's full press release is available on thermofisher.com.