Eversheds Sutherland advises Kohler Co. on its acquisition of KLAFS

The agreement was signed on 1 December 2023, and is subject to customary closing conditions with final closing expected in the first quarter of 2024. Financial details of the transaction are not being disclosed. Once the deal is complete, KLAFS will join Kohler’s Luxury Brands division with other high-design brands including ANN SACKS, KALLISTA, Robern, and Kast Concrete Basins.
Kohler was founded in 1873 and has grown to become one of America’s oldest and largest privately held companies. 

Headquartered in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany, KLAFS develops, designs, manufactures, and sells innovative premium wellness products designed to enhance personal spa experiences including saunas, sanariums, infrared cabins, steam baths, pools and related wellness equipment and accessories.

Eversheds Sutherland’s team worked cross-border with collaboration between its legal teams in nine jurisdictions from its offices in Germany, the UK, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Hong Kong with support from law firm Basham, Ringe y Correa in Mexico.

The Eversheds Sutherland team was led by Partners Robin Johnson in the UK and Christian Mense in Germany, with support from German Partners Lars Haverkamp, Thomas Freund, Daniel von Brevern, Tobias Maier, Anette Gärtner, Nils Müller, Rolf Kowanz, Stephan von Marschall and Dominique Strieder. The wider German team consisted of Counsel Martin Sanftleben, Christian Lindner, Jens Binding, Kathrin Paulet, Thomas Barth, Jan-Jacob Röder, Principal Associates Kathrin King, Isabel Strecker, Merle Templin, Senior Associates Sophia Münzel, Peter Schott, Kristina Kober, Jannick Thonemann, Hizir Aydogdu, Johannes Oehlschlager, Niklas Schilawa, Christian Dürschmied, Can Dertürk, Associates Janina Gärtling, Malte Scheel, Maximilian-Philipp Schöps, Tiziana Daxenberger, Lena Schachtner, Isabella Norbu, Kai Wörner and Professional Support Lawyer Stephanie Grosch. 

Robin Johnson commented:

“We are very happy to have advised on this multi-jurisdictional deal for Kohler which brings together two historic brands. This complex transaction plays to our strengths of providing a seamless client service across many borders for this landmark acquisition.”

Michelle Schultz, Assistant General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Kohler Co., commented:

“All of the team at Eversheds Sutherland have made this complex deal a smooth process. Having a firm with a global footprint like Eversheds Suther-land is invaluable when an important deal like this has to be completed.”