Herbst Kinsky advises ams AG, a leading worldwide manufacturer of high performance sensor and analog solutions, on the establishment of a joint venture in the Netherlands with the global active private equity firm Wise Road Capital. The signed agreement creates a joint venture to advance the development and sales of environmental, flow and pressure sensor solutions for the global market. The agreement encompasses an investment valuing the joint venture business at approximately USD 120 mio and is expected to conclude in fall 2019.

ams will transfer its current environmental sensor solution portfolio covering air quality, relative humidity and temperature sensing, which are used in automotive, smart building and air quality monitoring infrastructure applications. In addition, the ams ultrasound-based flow sensor solutions, where ams holds a market leadership position in smart metering solutions for utilities, will become part of the new company portfolio. To round out the offering, the ams pressure sensor development will also become part of the product portfolio. Wise Road Capital in turn will advise the new company, opening up its extensive network and resources from well-known global industry partners, covering Automotive, Telecommunication, Industrial Control and Home Appliance companies.

ams is listed on the SIX Swiss stock exchange and has its headquarter in Unterpremstaetten near Graz, Austria. Key research and development facilities are based in Austria and in Plano/Texas (USA), a centre of excellence in optical sensors, and in seven other design centres worldwide. Employing around 9,000 people in over 20 countries, ams operates direct sales offices in all major regions of the world. The group revenues in 2018 amounted to EUR 1,6 bn.

Herbst Kinsky´s team was led by Phillip Dubsky (Corporate) supported by Sonja Hebenstreit (IP), Rosa Rünzler and Alina Regal (both Corporate). Regarding Dutch law Lennaert Posch of Rutgers Posch, Amsterdam was in the lead. The inhouse team of ams was led by VP & General counsel Franz Fazekas with the support of Lukas Pinegger (Corporate) and Martin Pecher (IP).