Taylor Wessing advises Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Ltd (YOFC) on the acquisition of Radio Frequency Systems’ (RFS) worldwide cable business excluding North-America

Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Ltd (YOFC), a global leading provider of optical fibre preforms, optical fibres, optical fibre cables and integrated solutions listed at the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock exchanges, has signed a German law governed agreement to acquire Radio Frequency Systems’ (RFS) worldwide cable business (excluding North-America), a global designer and manufacturer of cable, antenna and tower systems, plus active and passive RF conditioning modules, providing total-package solutions for wireless infrastructure from RFS Holding which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nokia Shanghai. The deal comprises share and asset deals across Europe, China and Australia but excluding North-America. 

Taylor Wessing, led by Munich partner Dr Philip Cavaillès, advised YOFC on the global transaction. The transaction is subject to common regulatory approvals.
RFS is principally engaged in the development and production of power cables for sales through its subsidiaries across Europe, Middle East, Africa, China and Australia. Its products include a wide range of power cables including radiofrequency cable, leaky cable and hybrid cable. These power cables are mainly used in areas such as in-tunnel traffic, broadcasting, outdoor and in-building communications and network.

About YOFC
Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Limited Company (YOFC) (Stock Code: 601869.SH, 06869.HK) is a global leading provider of optical fibre preforms, optical fibres, optical fibre cables and integrated solutions. YOFC mainly produces and sells all kinds of communicational optical fibre preforms, optical fibres, optical fibre cables and different types of optical transceivers, specialty optical fibres, active optical cables, and submarine cables, RF coaxial cables and accessories, etc. YOFC is also equipped with some solutions and services such as system integration and communication engineering design. Providing a variety of different products and solutions for world’s telecommunications industry and other industries (e.g. Public utility, Transportation, Oil & Chemistry and Medication etc.), YOFC has offered its products and services to over 90 countries and regions around the world.

About RFS 
Radio Frequency Systems (RFS) is a global designer and manufacturer of cable, antenna and tower systems, plus active and passive RF conditioning modules, providing total-package solutions for wireless infrastructure. RFS serves OEMs, distributors, system integrators, operators and installers in the broadcast, wireless communications, land-mobile and microwave market sectors. As an ISO compliant organization with manufacturing and customer service facilities that span the globe, RFS offers cutting-edge engineering capabilities, superior field support and innovative product design. RFS is a leader in wireless infrastructure.

Legal advisors of YOFC:
Taylor Wessing: Dr Philip Cavaillès (Lead Partner), Fritz Krings (Associate), Inken Brandt (Associate), Aodfinn Broderick (Paralegal) (all Corporate / M&A), Qun Huang (Partner), Michael-Florian Ranft (Partner), Kai Kim (Salary Partner) (all China Group, Munich, Shanghai and Frankfurt), Dr Jan Phillip Rektorschek (Partner), Julia Fischer (Associate) (both Patents, Technology & Life Sciences), Dr Christian Frank (Partner), Wiebke Reuter (Senior Associate) (both Technology, Media & Telecoms) (all Munich), Dr Michael Brüggemann (Partner), Dr Stefan Horn (Salary Partner), Lena Rindsfus (Associate), Mareen Coenen (Associate), Niklas Melzer (Associate), Malke Kristina Zimmermann (Associate), Tim Hendricks (Professional Support Lawyer) (all Competition, EU & Trade, Dusseldorf and Hamburg), Rudi Hasenberg (Salary Partner, Tax, Frankfurt), Dr Michael Kieffer (Partner), Maximilian Höving (Associate), Giorgia Carandente (Associate) (all Commercial Agreements & Distribution, Munich), Dr Klara Pototzky (Senior Associate), Annika Meyer (Associate) (both Employment, Pensions & Mobility, Munich), Dr Alexander Köpfler (Salary Partner, Environmental Planning & Regulatory, Dusseldorf)