Majority stake in Chinese lighting company sold with top firms' help

Three leading international law firms worked with a top Chinese firm as a US-based private-equity juggernaut buys a majority stake in a lighting company’s China business.

KKR & Co. has agreed to set up a partnership with NVC Lighting. Through a joint venture, the private equity firm will own 70% of NVC China, with the remaining stake owned by its partner.  KKR is shelling out US$794m for the stake.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Fangda Partners; and Kirkland & Ellis advised KKR. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer counselled NVC Lighting, which was also advised by Deloitte & Touche.

Paul Weiss said that its team included corporate partner Judie Ng Shortell and IP partner Chuck Googe.

KKR also recently made a major move in Australia. It bought Arnott’s and part of the international business of Campbell Soup in a US$2.2bn deal. Allens and King & Wood Mallesons have confirmed their roles in the deal.