On January 10, 2011, Orkla ASA (“Orkla,” OSEBX: ORK), one of the largest companies on the Oslo stock exchange with a diversified portfolio strategy, entered into a binding agreement to sell Elkem AS, a global manufacturer of high quality and environmentally friendly produced metals and materials, for NOK 12.5 billion to China National Bluestar Group, which is 80% owned by the Chinese state-owned company China National Chemical Corporation and 20% by the Blackstone Group. Moelis & Company conducted a discreet and targeted process involving multiple buyers from different continents, each with specific deal structuring, approval and time constraints. The transaction successfully closed in April 2011. This transaction reinforced Moelis & Company’s track record of discreetly executing complex cross-border M&A and completing transactions with a Chinese buyer. Moelis & Company acted as exclusive financial advisor to Orkla.
