Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) advises London-listed Spectris plc (’Spectris’) and its subsidiary Hottinger Brüel & Kjaer GmbH (‘HBK’) on the acquisition of Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics GmbH (‘Piezocryst’). The seller is AVL List GmbH. Spectris is a global supplier of precision instruments and controls.

Piezocryst, based in Graz (Austria), has been a leading supplier of piezoelectric sensors since the 1950s and specialises in high-precision pressure sensors and accelerometers for demanding applications. The company's sensors are known for their quality, durability and precision and help to optimise motors, machines and processes. The acquisition is in line with Spectris Dynamics' strategy to create a leading, high-quality offering of pressure and vibration measurement devices for state-of-the-art applications, building on the acquisitions of Dytran and MicroStrain over the past two years. Following the acquisition, Piezocryst will be integrated into the Spectris Dynamics Division, extending HBK's existing product range.

The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the year, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

The Freshfields team was led by Partner Ludwig Hartenau, Counsel Gernot Fritz and Senior Associate Thomas Mollnhuber (Corporate/M&A, all Vienna) who were supported by Associates Estella Dannhausen, Tina Fokter Cuvan, Lisbeth Zimmermann and Sabeth Rivero Mendez (Corporate/M&A, all Vienna). The team also included:

• Partners: Maria Dreher-Lorjé (Antitrust), Katharina Kubik (Tax), Karin Buzanich-Sommeregger (Labour law), Lutz Riede (IP, all Vienna)
• Counsel: Stephan Dorn (IP, Düsseldorf)
• Principal Associates: Anna Binder-Gutwinksi (Tax), Benedikt Sprinzl (Labour Law), Matthias Hofer (IP, all Vienna)
• Associates: Daniel Metz, Jakob Tschachler (Antitrust), Maximilian Klein (Regulatory), Andreas Langer (Tax), Miriam Benmoussa (IP), Sophie Misra (IP, all Vienna)