Sayenko Kharenko, working with Linklaters’ Paris office, has advised the Bel Group on the completion of the disposal of its entire shareholding in PrJSC Bel Shostka Ukraine to Lactalis. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s Paris office advised Lactalis on the deal.
The Bel Group operates in branded cheese and healthy snack markets. Its portfolio of brands includes trademarks such as The Laughing Cow, Kiri, Mini Babybel, Boursin, as well as around 20 local brands in Ukraine (including Shostka).
The Lactalis Group is a French family business founded in 1933 in Laval. It is known for brands such as President, Galbani, and Parmalat.
The transfer took place as a part of a larger transaction under which Bel Group disposed of its business in the Netherlands (Royal Bel Leerdammer B.V.), Italy (Bel Italia S.p.A), Germany (Bel Deutschland GmbH), and Ukraine (Bel Shostka) in exchange for 23.16% of Bel shares owned by Lactalis
Sayenko Kharenko’s team was led by Senior Associate Ilhar Hakhramanov and Associate Mykola Lykhoglyad and included Associates Zarina Khalimon and Konstantin Zablotskyi and Junior Associate Nazarii Pylypchuk under the general supervision of Partner Oleksandr Nikolaichyk.