DLA Piper is delighted to have advised Foodstuffs North Island Limited on its acquisition of the business and assets of
Leigh Fisheries Limited and Leigh Bait Limited.
‘Lee Fish’ is a brand synonymous with high-quality seafood and sustainable fishing practices. It is a kaitiaki in the
industry with a strong environmental ethos and a world-class brand. The acquisition will allow Foodstuffs to offer
sustainably-caught, premium seafood in its stores: snapper, tarakihi, hāpuku and line-caught tuna.
This was a complex deal. The target group and shareholding structure was complex. The deal was structured as a business
and asset acquisition, with shares in domestic and offshore subsidiaries also acquired, and the interests of joint
venture parties, seller shareholders and other stakeholders carefully managed and navigated. The DLA Piper and
Foodstuffs teams worked very closely and seamlessly to execute this complex and significant transaction.
Reuben Woods was the lead partner for DLA Piper in these negotiations, supported by Sam Wilson, Senior Associate and
Edward Krishna, Solicitor. Partner Katie Carson led the debt piece. DLA Piper in Silicon Valley was also used for US
legal issues. Reuben says “This is an important transaction for Foodstuffs. The same high-quality fish being sold into
more than 300 top restaurants – and exported into Europe – is now secured for the benefit of customers at New World,
PAK’nSAVE, Gilmours and Four Square stores. It was a pleasure to advise Foodstuffs on this transaction."
"Reuben and Sam from DLA Piper have provided exceptional legal support and advice throughout this critical transaction
for Foodstuffs. Reuben and Sam have been technically strong but also very commercially focussed, and fantastic at
leading Foodstuffs through very complicated due diligence and deal structuring issues. DLA Piper have proven again
through this transaction why they are Foodstuffs’ trusted corporate legal advisers." says David Stewart, GM Merchandise,
Foodstuffs.