Bird & Bird advises Group14 Technologies on the acquisition of Schmid Silicon

Schmid Silicon is a technology leader in advanced silicon material based in Germany and the most technologically advanced silane producer in Europe. Group14, with headquarters in Woodinville (Washington, US), is the leading global manufacturer and supplier of silicon battery technology. With the acquisition, Group14 aims to strengthen its global battery supply chain and meet the worldwide demand for silicon battery technology.

The transaction will also bring Schmid Silicon’s silane factory in Spreetal, Saxony (Schwarze Pumpe) online, to support Group14’s further European expansion. The takeover serves to insulate Group14’s customers and partners from potential supply chain disruptions – particularly in the automotive industry – and sets up the company to localise integrated silicon battery technology manufacturing in Europe. The acquisition of Schmid Silicon ensures a secure supply of silane gas, a key precursor of Group14’s silicon battery technology, SCC55™.

As part of the acquisition, Group14 plans to retain and integrate all current Schmid Silicon employees. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Group14 Technologies was advised by the following Bird & Bird lawyers: Partner Stefan Münch and counsel Michael Gaßner (both lead), associates Louisa Graf (all Corporate/M&A, München) and associate Kilian Hummel (Corporate/M&A, Frankfurt), as well as partner Dr. Michael Jünemann, partner Johannes Wirtz and associates Jonathan Stoldt and Julia Fröhder (all Finance and Financial Regulation, Frankfurt), senior counsel Elie Kaufman, LLM. and associates Amelia Weber and Christian Cervellino (all Real Estate, Frankfurt), partner Dr. Christopher Maierhöfer and Associate Roksana Hosseini (both Patent law, Munich) Partner Dr. Markus Körner and associates Soeren Alborn und Yvonne Schaafs (all Trademark law, Munich), partner Dr. Henriette Picot and associates Gökhan Kosak, Paulina Jacob and Thomas Magosch (all Commercial/Tech & Comms, Munich), partner Dr. Rolf Schmich (Tax law, Frankfurt), partner Dr. Matthias Lang and associate Dr. Tobias Büscher (both Regulatory & Administrative/Energy & Utilities), Partner Dr. Stephan Waldheim and associate Tamy Tietze (both Antitrust, Düsseldorf), partner Dr. Ralph Panzer, counsel Sandy Gerlach and associate Michelle Eiberger (all employment, Munich), associate Olivia Zhao (IP, Shanghai).