Wragge advises on ADP transaction

Law firm Wragge & Co's  corporate lawyers has completed a cross-border acquisition deal for Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

ADP Dealer Services Finland Holding OY, a subsidiary of ADP, has acquired Finnish holding company Automaster OY and its Estonian, Swedish, Russian and UK subsidiaries for an undisclosed amount. Automaster is a developer and supplier of software services to the retail automotive sector.

London-based Corporate partner Stuart Young led a cross-firm team including associate Gareth Baker and solicitors Diana Jones and Neil Payne. Partner Peter Hall and associate Kirsten Whitfield advised on IT issues with director Graham Spalding leading due diligence. Tax, commercial and property experts also advised.

They worked closely with Russell Alexander, vice president and legal director at ADP Dealer Services. Wragge & Co project managed the multi-jurisdictional acquisition, working closely with Roschier in Finland and Sweden, Raidla Lejins & Norcous in Estonia and Alrud in Russia.

Stuart Young said: "Mid-market M&A activity in the technology sector remains resilient as companies like ADP look to consolidate operations and reach new markets. This strategic acquisition required commerciality, creative thinking and a strong team effort. We successfully delivered the transaction in a very tight timeframe, co-ordinating overseas advisors and maintaining our high-standards of legal advice and excellent client service."

Russell Alexander at ADP said: "We use Wragge & Co for a lot of our M&A work and were delighted with the service provision on this acquisition. The firm handled several transactions for us simultaneously and put together different teams to ensure each transaction was properly resourced. High-quality service is consistent across the whole Wragge & Co Corporate group."

Long-standing Wragge & Co client NASDAQ-listed Automatic Data Processing, Inc is one of the world's largest providers of business outsourcing solutions. It boasts nearly $9 billion in revenues and more than 585,000 clients. Its Dealer Services business unit provides integrated solutions to 25,000 auto, truck, motorcycle, and marine recreational dealers throughout the world.

Wragge & Co previously advised ADP on the $300 million cross-border acquisition of UK-based IT company Kerridge Group, a supplier of advanced software solutions, computer services and business communications technology. The acquisition will enable ADP to improve its leading dealer management system position and partner of choice globally.

Automaster, a specialist in dealer management and importer management systems, is based in Vantaa, Finland, It employees more than 160 IT professionals with experience in the automotive business. London law firm William Sturges & Co advised the company.