FCI Sells North American-based Electrical Division to Hubbell for US$360M

On October 5, 2009, FCI S.A., a leading manufacturer of connectors for markets such as automotive, telecommunication infrastructures and consumer electronics, completed the sale of FCI Americas, Inc. (the business known as Burndy) to international electrical and electronic product manufacturer Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE: HUBA, HUBB). The purchase price for the Burndy business was approximately US$360 million in cash (net of cash acquired) subject to certain standard adjustments. FCI will continue to operate its connectors business in Canada through FCI Connectors Canada, Inc.

FCI was represented in-house by B. Jill Steps, senior vice president, administration, counsel and secretary. FCI was advised on US aspects of this transaction by a team from Kirkland & Ellis LLP that included, among others, Jon Ballis, Travis Nelson, Erik Knudsen and Nathan Wilda (corporate) and Alexandra Mihalas (ERISA). FCI was advised on Canadian aspects of this transaction by a team from Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP that included, among others, Sean Stevens and Daniel Fabiano (corporate); Richard Johnston and Peggy McCallum (pension and benefits); Patrick Gannon, Alix Herber and Dominique Monet (labour and employment); Huy Do (competition); Craig Carter (real estate); Armand Benitah (intellectual property); Mitchell Thaw (tax); Paul Casuccio (commodity tax) and Rosalind Cooper (environmental).

Hubbell was advised on US aspects of the deal by Latham & Watkins LLP, whose team included Eric Schwartzman, Erica Steinberger, Constantine Skarvelis, Aaron Slavens, Heather DeGregorio and Dennis Craythorn (corporate); Jeffrey Tochner, Amanda Weare and Morgan Bottner (intellectual property); David Raab, Lisa Watts and Orly Morgenstern (tax); Michael Feeley (environment); David Langer and Mathew Ahrens (counsel); Jed Brickner, John Shyer, Frances Adkins and Austin Ozawa (benefits and compensation); and Betsy Mukamal and Alyssa Mayer (real estate). Hubbell was advised on Canadian aspects of the deal by Heenan Blaikie LLP, whose team included Lloyd Symons, Peter Yates and Lesley Kim (corporate); Mark Newton (pension and benefits); Michelle MacGillivray (employment); Lynn Mitchell (environmental); Subrata Bhattacharjee and Adam Goodman (competition) and Kay Leung (tax).