Ryerson Symons

Simpson Thacher is representing funds advised by Apax Partners in connection with their acquisition of a controlling stake in Ole Smoky Distillery, LLC (“Ole Smoky”), one of the fastest growing spirits companies in the U.S., from Centerview Capital. Financial terms were not disclosed.~~Established in 2010 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Ole Smoky is a leading distiller of premium moonshines and whiskeys that are renowned for their high quality, innovative and award-winning flavors. It is one of the largest craft distillers in the U.S. and the most visited in the world. Ole Smoky retails its products across all 50 states and over 20 countries around the world, through over forty-five thousand points of distribution and four experiential distilleries that welcomed over 5.7 million visitors in 2021.~~The Simpson Thacher team includes: Michael T. Holick, Ryerson Symons and Malik Ladhani (M&A); Andrew Blau, Megan Arrowsmith and Allison M. Sutherland (Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits); Kaitlyn Posa (Banking & Credit); Sophie Staples and Edward Grais (Tax); Lori Lesser, Samuel Watters and Benjamin Hart (Intellectual Property); Sara Y. Razi, Kelly Karapetyan and James Goldfeier (Antitrust); Krista McManus and Stephanie B. Brenner (Real Estate); Michael Isby (Environmental); and Steven DeLott (Insurance).

Apr 15

1 min

Simpson Thacher is representing funds advised by Apax Partners in connection with their definitive agreement to acquire Eating Recovery Center (“ERC Pathlight”) from CCMP Capital. The transaction is subject to applicable regulatory approvals and is expected to close in late 2021. Financial terms were not disclosed.~~ERC Pathlight is a national leader in eating disorder treatment. Its differentiated clinical model meets patients where they are in their treatment journey by offering the full continuum of higher levels of care. Through the recent expansion of its Pathlight division, ERC Pathlight addresses a more comprehensive set of behavioural health conditions including primary mood and anxiety disorder treatment. ERC Pathlight lowers financial barriers to accessing behavioural care by partnering with most major commercial insurers in the U.S., so patients can focus their energy on pursuing recovery.~~The Simpson Thacher team includes Ryerson Symons, Michael T. Holick, Janet K. Yu and Sydney R. Mark (M&A); Whitney Bosworth (Banking & Credit); Sophie Staples and Jenna Al-Malawi (Tax); Andrew Blau and Caitlin Fitzgerald (Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits); Daniel Venditti (Labor); Lori Lesser, Bobbie Burrows and Rachel June-Graber (Intellectual Property); Krista McManus (Real Estate); Michael Isby (Environmental); and Steven DeLott (Insurance).

May 10

1 min

Simpson Thacher is representing Vyaire Medical, a portfolio company of funds advised by Apax Partners, in the sale of its consumables business to SunMed. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.~~The Vyaire respiratory and anesthesia consumables portfolio encompasses leading airway management and operative care technology, including well-known brands such as AirLife™ oxygen therapy, Vital Signs™ anesthesia circuits and SuperNO2VA™ nasal PAP ventilation. SunMed is a leading North American manufacturer and distributor of consumable medical devices for anesthesia and respiratory care.~~The transaction is anticipated to close in the first half of this year, subject to regulatory clearance and fulfillment of other customary closing conditions.~~The Simpson Thacher team includes Ryerson Symons, Mark Viera, Sung Jin, Chelsea Penther, Emma Snover and Si Sun (M&A); Andrew Blau, Alan Fenyes and Megan Arrowsmith (ECEB); Sophie Staples and Edward Grais (Tax); Patrick Wolff (Credit); Lori Lesser and Alysha Sekhon (Intellectual Property); Steven DeLott (Insurance); Krista McManus (Real Estate); and Michael Isby (Environmental).

Mar 29

1 min

Simpson Thacher represented Ole Smoky Distillery, a portfolio company of funds advised by Apax, in connection with its merger with Tanteo Spirits, one of the fastest growing ultra-premium tequila companies. The transaction marks the Tennessee-based distillery’s entry into the fast-growing tequila market, as it moves to diversify its portfolio across other high-growth spirits categories. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.~~Ole Smoky is a leading distiller of premium moonshine in the world, a leading craft distiller in the U.S. and the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee. Founded in 2010, Ole Smoky’s roots are traced to the Smoky Mountains’ earliest settlers, families who produced moonshine with enduring pride and Appalachian spirit. One of the fastest growing spirit brands in the country, Ole Smoky is one of the most visited distilleries in the world having welcomed over 5.3 million visitors in 2022.~~Founded in 2007, Tanteo’s namesake brand is renowned as the original spicy tequila made with real-pepper infusions. Distilled in partnership with the cooperatively owned Distilladora Juanacatlan, in 2022, Tanteo sold over 70,000 cases driven by consumer demand for versatile, ultra-premium tequila and its unique, high-quality infused products. Most recently, Tanteo received several recognitions from the ASCOT Awards, including a Double Platinum Award, 2023 White Spirit of the Year, and Best Tequila for Tanteo Blanco and a Gold Award for Tanteo Jalapeño Tequila.~~The Simpson Thacher team included: Michael T. Holick, Ryerson Symons, Andrew Norwich and Wang Chen (M&A); Andrew Blau, Megan Arrowsmith and Allison Sutherland (Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits); Leah Tendler and Abdulyekinni Fasinro (Banking & Credit); Sophie Staples and Edward Grais (Tax); Lori Lesser, Corina Holland and Sarika Pandrangi (Intellectual Property); Krista McManus (Real Estate); Michael Isby (Environmental); and Steven DeLott (Insurance).

Jan 8

1 min

The Firm is representing SSENSE in connection with a minority investment from Sequoia Capital, the first round of external funding in the company’s 18-year history, giving the company a post-money enterprise value of more than CAD$5 billion.~~SSENSE, headquartered in Montreal, is a global technology platform operating at the intersection of culture, community and commerce, featuring a mix of established and emerging luxury brands across womenswear, menswear, kidswear and Everything ElseTM. SSENSE is both an e-commerce engine and a producer of cultural content, and generates an average of 100 million monthly page views.~~The Simpson Thacher team includes Ryerson Symons, Jakob Rendtorff, Heesu Kim, Rex Hupy and Jule Walsh (M&A); Dan Webb (Capital Markets); Lori Lesser and Alysha Sekhon (IP); Sophie Staples (Tax); Andrew Blau and Pasco Struhs (Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits); and Sara Razi, Kelly Karapetyan and Christine Tillema (Antitrust).

Sep 6

1 min