W&C advises Legrand on Ensto Building Systems acquisition

White & Case LLP has advised Legrand, a global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures, on its acquisition of Ensto Building Systems

Globally operating electrical solution provider Ensto has made a strategic decision to focus on its electricity distribution business, aiming to become a leading expert for Distribution System Operators (DSOs). Along with this decision, Ensto Building Systems business will be acquired by Legrand, the global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures.

Founded in 1909, Legrand is a global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructures, offering high-value-added products and solutions that transform work, living and meeting spaces. Legrand is active in close to 90 countries, with more than 36,700 employees and total sales of €6.1 billion in 2020.

Ensto Building Systems is the leading smart electrical solution provider in the Nordics and part of the Finnish base, globally operating electrical solution provider Ensto Group. Following the transaction, Ensto Building Systems with its distribution system operators business will operate in 17 countries.

The contract between Ensto and Legrand has been signed on July 16, 2021. The completion of the transaction remains subject to customary conditions precedent. As a part of the transaction, Ensto and Legrand have made a license agreement for the use of the Ensto brand in connection with EBS scope of business. The parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction price.

The White & Case team which advised on the transaction was led by Helsinki partner Timo Airisto and included partners Alan Burke, Nicholas Greenacre, Peita Menon, Will Smith, Helen Joseph (all London), Hugues Mathez, Clara Hainsdorf, Alexandre Jaurett (all Paris), Madrid partner Juan Manuel de Remedios (pictured left)), Henrik Patel (New York), Axel Schulz (Brussels) and Martin Jarvengren (Stockholm), Madrid partner Carlos Daroca (pictured right), Marek Sawicki (Warsaw) and Jan Jakoubek (Prague), along with counsel Paul Harrington (London) and associates Asta Tukiainen and Samuel Salmivirta (both Helsinki).