DLA Piper is advising the Solar Group on the proposed acquisition by Solar SA Investments Proprietary Limited (Solar SA) of all the issued ordinary shares of Omnia Holdings Limited (Omnia) in a ZAR21.8 billion (approximately USD1.34 billion) all-cash transaction. The transaction is subject to regulatory conditions that are typical for a transaction of this nature. Following the implementation of the transaction, Omnia's shares will be delisted from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and A2X Markets.
The proposed acquisition will bring together Solar Group's international platform and expertise with Omnia's established position across mining, agriculture and chemicals. The transaction is expected to enhance growth opportunities, expand market reach and strengthen the long-term strategic positioning of the combined group.
Omnia is a diversified chemicals group with operations across Africa and several international markets, providing products and services to a range of customers across a range of industries.
A multi-practice team from DLA Piper 's Johannesburg office is working on the transaction. The team is led by Johannes Gouws, Country Managing Partner, South Africa and Peter Bradshaw, Corporate Location Head. They are supported by directors, Rakhee Singh (Corporate), Jackie Pennington (Finance), and Werner Rysbergen (Competition). The team also comprises of senior associates, Annie Nair (Corporate), Malachizodok Mpolokeng (Finance) and Dharshini Naidoo (Competition), and associate Sibusiso Shabalala (Finance). The Johannesburg team was further supported by DLA Piper Australia and DLA Piper Africa firms in Zambia (Chibesakunda & Co), Mauritius (Juristconsult Chambers), Namibia (Ellis Shilengudwa Incorporated) and Zimbabwe (Manokore Attorneys).
Johannes Gouws commented: “The proposed acquisition reflects the increasing strategic importance of African businesses to global investors and the growing demand for businesses with strong technological capabilities, established market positions and international growth potential. Supporting Solar Group on this significant cross-border investment reflects DLA Piper's ability to support clients on complex, strategic transactions through seamless collaboration across multiple practice groups and jurisdictions.”
With more than 1,000 corporate lawyers globally, DLA Piper helps clients execute complex transactions while supporting clients across all stages of development. The firm has been rated number one in global M&A volume for 16 consecutive years, is number 1 across Africa and the Middle East by M&A deal volume for two years, according to Mergermarket, and number one in M&A in combined global deal volume according to PitchBook.