Luxembourg-headquartered global stainless steel producer Aperam SA has announced that it has signed a share purchase agreement with Falcon Metals, a recycler and processor of industrial and retail ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metals, and European private equity firm Lindsay Goldberg Vogel to acquire Germany-based alloys producer VDM Metals Holding GmbH (VDM Metals). This acquisition is fully in line with Aperam’s value strategy and represents a total purchase consideration of €438 million for 100 percent of the shares in VDM Metals. The transaction is expected to be completed during the second half of the current year.
Aperam stated that the combination of VDM Metals with its Alloys & Specialties division will create a leader in global premium speciality alloys. VDM Metals’ product offering is highly complementary to Aperam’s Alloys & Specialties division. The enlarged geographical presence will create a stronger global quality and technological producer in the high end alloys and specialities sector, better positioned to fully support the evolution of its customers’ needs and address the challenges of the industry. The acquisition of VDM Metals is also expected to enhance cost competitiveness and provide a strong platform to further develop new products and applications for alloys and specialities materials.
Falcon Metals is the initial sole shareholder company of VDM Metals. On July 31, 2015, VDM Metals and its subsidiaries were acquired from Germany-based ThyssenKrupp Materials International Gmbh by funds advised by Lindsay Goldberg. Falcon Metals served as acquisition vehicle in 2015 and for the further structuring of all VDM Metal Group owned by Lindsay Goldberg.