Willkie Advises Scotsman Industries in Acquisition by ALI Group

Milan-based ALI Group agrees to acquire Scotsman Industries, the world’s largest commercial ice machine company, from an affiliate of Warburg Pincus.

On November 6, it was announced that ALI Group, a Milan, Italy-based diversified food service equipment manufacturer, agreed to acquire Willkie client Scotsman Industries, the world’s largest commercial ice machine company, from an affiliate of Warburg Pincus. Based in Vernon Hills, IL, Scotsman has five manufacturing facilities, over 800 employees, more than 5,000 service technicians and sales in over 100 countries. Through its subsidiaries, ALI Group designs, manufactures, markets and services a broad line of commercial and institutional foodservice equipment used by major restaurant and hotel chains, independent restaurants, hospitals, schools, airports, correctional institutions, canteens, etc. in over 100 countries.

Scotsman is a former unit of UK-based Enodis plc. In 2009, Willkie represented Warburg Pincus in its acquisition, through its affiliate Braveheart Acquisition Inc., of the Enodis global ice machine business from The Manitowoc Company.

The current deal was handled by partners Steven Gartner, William Gump, Thomas Mark, Christopher Peters and E. Donald Elliott; special counsel Kim Walker and associates Jordan Messinger, Tracy Bookspan, Angela Redai, Meredith Levy, Geri Anne McEvoy, Johanna Hickman, Jennifer Schanes, Ketan Pastakia, Bonnie Tice and Edward Dix.