Lindahl has in collaboration with the English law firm Addleshaw Goddard LLP advised British American Tobacco (BAT), the world’s second largest listed tobacco manufacturer, in its acquisition of 100 per cent of Swedish snus maker Winnington AB. Winnington stands behind the innovation of white snus, tobacco that is purified and that stays white when consumed under the lip.
Snus is the fastest growing tobacco category in Western Europe when consumers look for less harmful ways to consume nicotine. Future growth is expected to be especially strong for white snus and ”tobacco free snus” where Winnington has recorded beyond well growth despite limited distribution. Winnington has a market share of 0.7 per cent in Sweden and 1.5 per cent in Norway, and can now see its innovative products enjoying improved market access by BAT’s distribution channels.
BAT continues to implement its strategy to strengthen market position as innovator through acquisitions, thus creating further value for consumers and shareholders. Through the acquisition, BAT gets products which the consumers love and that are growing rapidly, the most exciting innovation pipeline in the history of snus and a position of strength for rapidly evolving categories of the snus market.
Lindahl’s team consisted of Svante Liljedahl (responsible partner, M&A), Pekka Lähdekorpi (M&A), Sabina Björklund (M&A), Johan Norderyd (intellectual property), Elna Jönsson (intellectual property), Mikael Wärnsby (environmental) and Johan Myrén (tax).
