Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and King & Wood Mallesons have advised a consortium led by China-based Apex Technology in a $3.6 billion agreement to acquire U.S. printer maker Lexmark, which turned to Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz for legal counsel.
The all-cash deal, which is expected to close in the second half of 2016, is subject to approval from shareholders and U.S. regulators, including the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
Apex is a Shenzen-listed company that manufactures inkjet and laser cartridge components. Apart from Apex, the investment group consists of PAG Asia Capital, the buyout unit of one of Asia’s largest private equity firms, and Legend Capital Management, the venture capital arm of Beijjng-headquartered Legend Holdings.
The Skadden deal team includes M&A partners Greg Miao and Michael Gisser, financing partners Kristine Dunn, Michael Zeidel, and Clive Rough, CFIUS partner Ivan Schlager, antitrust partners Frederic Depoortere, Ken Schwartz, executive compensation and benefits partner Joseph Yaffe, tax partner Sean Shimamoto and labor and employment partner Karen Corman.
Like other printer makers, Lexmark has struggled to adjust as corporate clients cut costs and consumers shift from personal computers to mobile devices. The deal will enable Lexmark to focus on its ongoing strategic initiatives while significantly expanding its market reach in Asia.
According to a Lexmark statement, the company will stay put at its headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky. Its regional and country operations, as well as its Enterprise Software and Imaging Solutions and Services business groups, will continue unaffected.
