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Cravath Publishes Winter 2026 Issue of Alumni Journal

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News & Insights

Stanley Black & Decker’s Acquisition of Excel Industries

September 13, 2021

On September 13, 2021, Stanley Black & Decker, a leading global diversified industrial, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Excel Industries, a leading designer and manufacturer of premium commercial and residential turf-care equipment, for $375 million in cash. Cravath is representing Stanley Black & Decker in connection with the transaction.

The Cravath team is led by partners Robert I. Townsend III and Thomas E. Dunn and includes associates Jason L. Zhang and Bethany E. Clarke on M&A matters; associate Cecily Xi on tax matters; partner Eric W. Hilfers and practice area attorney Aaron S. Cha on executive compensation and benefits matters; partner Matthew Morreale on environmental matters; practice area attorneys Brian M. Budnick and Laurel R. Berkowitz on real estate matters; practice area attorney Megan Y. Lew on compliance matters; and practice area attorney Anthony N. Magistrale on intellectual property matters. Paul A. Bryant also worked on M&A matters.

Related Practices & Industries

  • Corporate
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Tax
  • Executive Compensation and Benefits
  • Environmental
  • IP and Strategic Tech Transactions
  • Industrials and Chemicals
  • Consumer Products and Services

People

Photo
Name
Robert I. Townsend III
Title
Corporate
Title
Partner
Email
rtownsend@cravath.com
Phone
+1-212-474-1964
vCard
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    Education

    • J.D., 1990, Harvard Law School
      magna cum laude
    • A.B., 1987, Harvard College
      magna cum laude

    Admitted In

    • New York
    Photo
    Name
    Thomas E. Dunn
    Title
    Corporate
    Title
    Partner
    Email
    tdunn@cravath.com
    Phone
    +1-212-474-1108
    vCard
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      Education

      • J.D., 1992, Duke Law School
        summa cum laude
      • B.A., 1987, The College of William & Mary

      Admitted In

      • New York
      Photo
      Name
      Eric W. Hilfers
      Title
      Executive Compensation and Benefits
      Title
      Partner
      Email
      ehilfers@cravath.com
      Phone
      +1-212-474-1352
      vCard
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        Education

        • J.D., 1998, University of Chicago Law School
          with Honors
        • A.B., 1995, Princeton University

        Admitted In

        • New York
        Photo
        Name
        Matthew Morreale
        Title
        Corporate
        Title
        Partner
        Email
        mmorreale@cravath.com
        Phone
        +1-212-474-1534
        vCard
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          Education

          • J.D., 1997, Columbia Law School
            Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
          • M.S., 1994, University of Pennsylvania
          • B.A., 1990, University of Pennsylvania
          • B.A.S., 1990, University of Pennsylvania

          Admitted In

          • New York
          Photo
          Name
          Brian M. Budnick
          Title
          Corporate
          Title
          Of Counsel
          Email
          bbudnick@cravath.com
          Phone
          +1-212-474-1914
          vCard
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            Education

            • J.D., 2011, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
              cum laude
            • B.A., 2006, University of Virginia

            Admitted In

            • New York
            Photo
            Name
            Aaron S. Cha
            Title
            Executive Compensation and Benefits
            Title
            Senior Attorney
            Email
            acha@cravath.com
            Phone
            +1-212-474-1944
            vCard
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              Education

              • LL.M., 2013, New York University School of Law
              • J.D., 2012, Loyola Law School Los Angeles
              • B.S., 2004, University of California, San Diego

              Admitted In

              • New York
              • California

              Related News & Insights

              Deals & Cases

              February 18, 2026

              Tenax’s Merger with Air

              On February 17, 2026, Tenax Aerospace Acquisition, LLC (“Tenax”) and Air Industries Group (“Air”) jointly announced that they have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger to combine Tenax’s special mission aviation business with Air’s precision aerospace manufacturing business. At the time of the merger, Air will issue shares of its common stock to holders of Tenax membership units. After the closing, Tenax shareholders are expected to own approximately 95% of Air’s outstanding shares while existing Air shareholders are expected to own approximately 5%, and the combined company expects to remain listed on the NYSE American under the symbol AIRI. Cravath is representing Tenax in connection with the transaction.

              Deals & Cases

              February 17, 2026

              Kennedy Wilson’s Acquisition by Consortium Led by William McMorrow and Fairfax

              On February 17, 2026, Kennedy‑Wilson Holdings, Inc. (“Kennedy Wilson”) and Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (“Fairfax”) jointly announced that Kennedy Wilson has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired, in an all cash‑transaction, by an entity affiliated with a consortium led by William McMorrow, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kennedy Wilson, and certain other senior executives of Kennedy Wilson (collectively, the “KW Management Group”), together with Fairfax (collectively, the “Consortium”).

              Deals & Cases

              February 17, 2026

              MTN’s Proposed $6.2 Billion Acquisition of IHS

              On February 17, 2026, MTN Group Limited (“MTN”), Africa’s largest mobile network operator, announced that it has entered into an agreement with IHS Holding Limited (“IHS”), one of the largest independent owners, operators and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world, to acquire the remaining shares of IHS not already owned by MTN in an all‑cash transaction at an offer price of $8.50 per IHS share, which implies an enterprise value of $6.2 billion. The structure of the transaction is intended such that, upon completion of IHS’ announced disposals of its Latin American businesses, MTN will acquire 100% of IHS’ African tower portfolio. Following the completion of the transaction, IHS will be de‑listed from the New York Stock Exchange. Cravath is representing MTN in connection with the transaction.

              Deals & Cases

              February 16, 2026

              Hapag-Lloyd’s Over $4 Billion Acquisition of ZIM

              On February 16, 2026, Hapag‑Lloyd signed an agreement with Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (“ZIM”), the world’s 10th largest container shipping line, under which Hapag‑Lloyd will acquire 100% of ZIM’s shares for a consideration of $35 per share in cash. The total transaction value amounts to over $4 billion. As part of the transaction, FIMI Opportunity Funds will take ownership of a carved‑out Israeli container liner business. Cravath is representing Hapag‑Lloyd in connection with the transaction.

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