Noerr advises Steiff on sale of majority shareholding to Ravensburger

A team from Noerr led by Alexander Hirsch and Gerrit Henze has advised toy manufacturer Steiff on the sale of a majority shareholding in Margarete Steiff GmbH to Ravensburger AG. Ravensburger is to become a strategic investor in the company. Steiff will continue to be independently managed from its current headquarters in the southern German town of Giengen an der Brenz.

The selling shareholder is Steiff Beteiligungsgesellschaft, a holding company held by the heirs of company founder Margarete Steiff. The investment will allow the family to set the course for the company’s long-term future, preserving a business steeped in tradition.

Steiff and Ravensburger share a clear commitment to quality, responsibility, strong brands and sustainable corporate management. Ravensburger contributes its substantial industry expertise as an international group, while Steiff will retain its identity as a premium brand rooted in emotion-led, artisan traditions. The partnership between the two companies will strengthen the Ravensburger Group and broaden its strategic perspectives. At the same time, it also opens up potential synergies for Steiff.

Closing of the transaction remains subject to merger clearance. The parties involved assume that the necessary approval will be granted within the normal review periods.

Advisors to Steiff Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH: Noerr

Lead:  Alexander Hirsch (partner), Gerrit Henze (associated partner, both M&A, Dusseldorf)

M&A: Julius Heimann (senior associate), Melissa Lukas (senior associate, both Dusseldorf), Musab Cavunmirza (associate, Hamburg)

Antitrust & Competition: Alexander Birnstiel (partner, Munich), Annika-Kristin Stamer (senior associate, Berlin), Paula Link (senior associate, Munich)

Real Estate: Tim Behrens (partner), Elena Sophia Bideris (associate, both Frankfurt)

Tax: Andre Happel (partner), Thomas Renner (senior associate, both Frankfurt)