Finland’s IPO, share issue and bond markets remained lively in 2018. We are pleased that issuers and other parties seeking financing placed their trust in the expertise of our Capital Markets and Banking & Finance teams.
14.2.2019
Busy and Multifaceted 2018 for Castrén & Snellman Capital Markets and Banking & Finance Teams
Janne Lauha, Sakari Lukinmaa & Tero Tuomisto
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We maintained our position as one of the leading firms in the field and were involved in the year’s most important arrangements, such as IPOs, transactions in the financial sector, structurings and the largest real estate transactions on the market.
Our Capital Markets team was kept busy in 2018 by the following assignments:
We have Finland’s largest and most closely integrated Capital Markets team, with expertise that extends from issues to regulatory advice and transactions in the financial sector. Partners Merja Kivelä and Janne Lauha are renowned as long-time experts in the industry. We appointed two senior associates in 2018, Hannu Huotilainen and Aksu Tuominen. Our team also includes senior associate Anna-Maarit Laurila, associates Viola Valtanen and Lauri Liljavirta and associate trainee Julian Lagus. Furthermore, we just appointed veteran regulatory expert Sami Lommi as Counsel in our team. Sami joins us from Folksam Non-Life Insurance Company, where he has served as member of the management team in charge of legal affairs, HR and Internal Services.
Our Banking & Finance team was involved in the following arrangements in 2018, among others:
Our experienced Banking & Finance team is led by partner Tero Tuomisto together with partner Sakari Lukinmaa. They are assisted by senior associates Mariella Både-Landell and Niko Johansson as well as associates Sonja Hänninen, Juhani Lautjärvi and Henri Kaasalainen. Our team also gained new members in counsel Minna Korhonen, who joined us in October, and associate Valtteri Jalo from the start of the year. Additional hires have already been agreed, and our team is set to grow further this year.
The wide range of our assignments and the strategic planning sessions we engage in with our clients are indicators of the scope of our expertise and the market’s faith in us. We are grateful for the trust placed in us and will venture into 2019 with the same spark and dedication to our work while continuing to develop our expertise.
Despite the volatile market conditions, our books are already filling up for 2019, and the year is looking promising.
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Latest references
G&W Electric – Acquisition of Safegrid
We advised G&W Electric with its acquisition of Safegrid Oy, a leading provider of intelligent grid monitoring solutions based in Finland. The acquisition accelerates G&W Electric’s long-term strategy to integrate intelligent monitoring and predictive analytics into its power distribution portfolio, strengthening its offering to utility customers worldwide. Founded in 1905 and headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, G&W Electric is a global leader in innovative power grid solutions, with a presence in over 100 countries. The company is known for advanced load and fault interrupting switches, reclosers, sensors, system protection equipment, power grid automation, intelligent grid monitoring, and transmission and distribution cable accessories. Safegrid is a Finnish technology company headquartered in Espoo, Finland. The company develops the Intelligent Grid System®, a grid monitoring solution that combines instant-on wireless sensors with advanced analytics to deliver real-time insight into grid conditions, enabling utilities to identify emerging issues, anticipate failures, and reduce outage duration across medium and high voltage distribution and transmission networks.
Case published 8.5.2026
Kiwa – Acquisition of Sertio
We advised Kiwa in its acquisition of Sertio Oy, a Finnish notified body designated by the authority in accordance with the EU Regulation on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR). Sertio provides conformity assessment services in accordance with IVDR. Kiwa is one of the world’s leading testing, inspection, and certification companies, operating in over 35 countries.
Case published 7.5.2026
Metsäkonepalvelu – Acquisition of Junnonen Forest and the business operations of Lamerit
We advised Metsäkonepalvelu Oy in its acquisition of the entire share capital of Junnonen Forest Oy, a Finnish timber harvesting services company, and the timber harvesting services business of Lamerit Oy. The acquisition supports Metsäkonepalvelu’s growth strategy and strengthens the company’s position, particularly in southeastern Finland. Metsäkonepalvelu is a portfolio company of A. Ahlström Oy, a Finnish family-owned industrial owner. The company provides mechanical timber harvesting services to forest companies, large private forest owners, and the public sector in Finland and Sweden. Metsäkonepalvelu Group employs nearly two hundred forestry professionals.
Case published 6.5.2026
Scanreco – Acquisition of CrossControl
We acted as Finnish counsel to Scanreco in its acquisition of CrossControl. Mannheimer Swartling (Sweden) acted as lead counsel for Scanreco. CrossControl, founded in Sweden, is a high-tech supplier of advanced display computers and central vehicle computing solutions for industrial vehicles and machines. Scanreco is a world leading supplier of professional radio remote control systems to international machinery, heavy equipment, and crane manufacturers. The combined group comprises approximately 600 employees and generates annual revenue of around SEK 1.4 billion.
Case published 5.5.2026