OPPENLÄNDER Rechtsanwälte advised Rieker Investment GmbH on its acquisition of a majority holding in the WM Beautysystems group. The WM Beautysystems group is the largest beauty and tanning studio chain operator in Germany and Europe, running its studios under the well-known brand Sunpoint. WM Beautysystems currently owns 115 studios and 80 franchise studios. The selling shareholder will continue to hold a minority stake in WM Beautysystems group and will continue to support the WM Beautysystems group.

Rieker Investment GmbH is a subsidiary of Rieker Finanz-Gruppe. Rieker Finanz-Gruppe is an independent segment of Rieker-Gruppe, which also includes the shoe manufacturer Rieker Schuh. Rieker Finanz-Gruppe is focused on long term investments in medium sized enterprises of various sectors. The investments of Rieker Finanz-Gruppe continue to be operated independently by the existing management.

OPPENLÄNDER Rechtsanwälte advised Rieker Finanz-Gruppe comprehensively in connection with the transaction. The following team was led by Dr. Felix Born (Partner): Dr. Malte Weitner (Partner, IP/IT/Commercial), Dr. Christian Gunßer (Partner, Corporate/M&A/Commercial), Dr. Ulrich Klumpp (Partner, Antitrust), Dr. Natalie Seitz (Antitrust), Dr. Kalina Haack (Corporate/M&A), Dr. Daniel Schillerwein (Corporate/M&A), Arthur Eichmann (Corporate/M&A) and Marius Bücke (HR).

The management of Rieker Finanz-Gruppe, Thomas Guhl and Axel Wiehrer, implemented the transaction in house.