Cross-border team advises Knorr-Bremse on expansion of its UK presence in the rail sector

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH (Knorr-Bremse) on the acquisition of UK railway equipment supplier Westcode (U.K.) Limited (Westcode) from Unipart Rail Holdings Limited (Unipart). 

The deal sees Knorr-Bremse’s UK subsidiary, Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Limited (Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems UK), acquire all the shares of Westcode.

Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems UK manufactures and supplies braking systems for trains and other subsystems, such as doors and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as spare parts and maintenance and repair services. 

Westcode specialises in maintenance and repair and refurbishment services related to braking and door systems, including the supply of spare parts for these systems. Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems UK’s acquisition of the company will further strengthen Knorr-Bremse’s capabilities within these areas and expand its existing UK business, particularly with regards to maintenance and spare parts.

The existing close contractual relationship between Unipart, a multinational logistics, supply chain, manufacturing and consulting company, and Westcode will continue over a short transitional period following the acquisition.

Knorr-Bremse's international Rail Systems division comprises some 15,000 employees at 60 locations around the globe.

The Norton Rose Fulbright team was led by partner Dr. Michael Prüßner (corporate and M&A, Munich) and included partner Sven Schweneke (corporate and M&A, Munich), counsel Benjamin Schikora and associate Dr. Hannah Frahm (both corporate and M&A, Munich), and partner Mark Tricker and associate Natalia Maj (both antitrust and competition, London).