Graeme Bruce

Headquartered in Bruehl, Germany, HIMA is a provider of safety-related automation solutions for the process and railway industries protecting people, the environment and assets. Founded in 1908, the family-owned company employs around 800 people and operates from over 50 locations worldwide.

Sella is recognised as a market leader in the provision of engineered solutions for safety, control and automation applications within a variety of industry sectors. These include energy, chemical and petrochemical, steel generation and the rail sector where Sella’s expertise and portfolio of solutions was a key deal driver for HIMA, which the company is now keen to leverage through its international network.

The cross-border CMS team was led by Glasgow-based corporate partner Graeme Bruce and associate Alastair McNaughton, together with Frankfurt-based corporate and relationship partner Hendrik Hirsch and senior associate Berrit Roth-Mingram. Specialists from across CMS also assisted on a number of additional facets of the transaction.

Dr Michael Löbig, HIMA group’s chief financial officer, said: “This acquisition is an important strategic development for HIMA which will enable our company to further exploit our innovation across a range of key sectors, especially rail where Sella has established a strong market presence.

“I am grateful to Graeme and his CMS colleagues for their diligence and support in progressing this transaction and bringing it to a successful conclusion.”

Mr Bruce added: “We are delighted to have supported HIMA on this key deal which will enable the company to further develop its world-leading innovation and continue to grow its business.”