Allen & Overy advises Elmos Semiconductor SE on sale of Dortmund wafer fab to Littelfuse

In acquiring the Dortmund wafer fab, Littelfuse enhances its capabilities in power semiconductors for high-growth power conversion applications like renewables, energy storage, and e-mobility charging infrastructure.

The closing of the transaction is expected to be effective 31 December 2024, and is subject to certain closing conditions and regulatory approvals. 

In addition, Elmos and Littelfuse have agreed to enter into a defined multi-year capacity sharing arrangement with an initial term lasting through 2029, with Elmos buying defined volumes of wafers produced at the fab. This long-term agreement supplements the existing supply arrangements with Elmos' other foundry partners and ensures that Elmos has the necessary capacities to meet projected customer demand.

Elmos develops, produces and markets semiconductors, primarily for use in the automotive industry. The company's components communicate, measure, regulate and control safety, comfort, powertrain and network functions. For 40 years, Elmos' innovations have been bringing new functions to life, including solutions in applications such as ultrasonic distance measurement, ambient and rear light as well as intuitive HMI.

Littelfuse is a diversified industrial technology manufacturing company empowering a sustainable, connected and safer world. The company operates across more than 20 countries, and with approximately 18,000 global associates. In Germany, Littelfuse operates various manufacturing, sales and R&D sites. 

The Allen & Overy team was led by partners Dr Hans Diekmann (Düsseldorf) and Dr Alexander Veith (Munich, both Corporate/M&A). The team also included partners Dr Börries Ahrens (Antitrust), Dr Christian Hilmes (Real Estate, both Hamburg), Dr Jens Matthes (IP, Düsseldorf), Dr Udo Olgemöller (Public Law/Foreign Investment Controls) Dr Heike Weber (Tax), Peter Wehner (Employment/Pensions, all Frankfurt) as well as counsel Dorothée Kupiek (Corporate/M&A, Düsseldorf), Dr Daniel Bolm (Real Estate) and Dr Ioannis Thanos (Antitrust, both Hamburg). 

The team further comprised senior associates Anna Kräling (IP), Catharina Glugla (Data Protection), Dr Jan Danelzik (Corporate/M&A, all Düsseldorf), Dr Anna Jung and Dr Stephan Bühner (both Public Law/Foreign Investment Controls, Frankfurt) as well as associates Philipp Steinhaeuser (Antitrust, Hamburg), Hauke Jung (Real Estate), Dr Manuel Köchel (Tax, both Frankfurt), Paul Gerlach (Real Estate, Munich), Dr Katharina Hillmer (Antitrust), Carl-Philipp Hoepner (Real Estate, both Hamburg), Pascal Yves Schroeder (Data Protection) and Dr Christina Vossen (Corporate/M&A, both Düsseldorf) as well as transaction officer Corvin Kieselhorst (Corporate, Munich) and senior transaction coordinator Oliver Ahnseel (Real Estate, Hamburg). 

* Wafers are silicon slices on which semiconductors are built in a very elaborate and highly complex process in a clean room environment.