Eversheds Sutherland advises SLE Schuh on the acquisition of minority interests in Legero Schuhfabrik

Eversheds Sutherland provided strategic and legal advice to SLE Schuh GmbH on its acquisition of the minority stake in Legero Schuhfabrik GmbH (legero united) held by ara AG. With the acquisition of the 49.9 percent stake, the internationally active shoe manufacturer, headquartered in Austria, is once again wholly family-owned. The transaction closed on August 31, 2026.

Following a successful partnership with ara AG dating back to 1997, SLE Schuh GmbH has acquired the minority stake of ara AG and is now once again the sole owner of legero united. As an independently managed family business, legero united is consistently pursuing its growth strategy and continues to focus on innovation and the international expansion of its brands.

Earlier, in July 2026, Eversheds Sutherland advised its long-standing client on the acquisition of the German children’s shoe specialist VADO. This acquisition expanded the existing brand portfolio with another strong brand.

legero united is an internationally active company with approximately 2,300 employees and headquarters in Feldkirchen near Graz. The company develops and manufactures sustainable footwear for the brands superfit, legero, Think!, and VADO, which are distributed in more than 40 countries.

Eversheds Sutherland’s M&A team provided comprehensive advice on both transactions throughout the entire process, from legal structuring and financing through contract negotiations to the successful closing.

“It was a particular pleasure for us to support our long-standing client in these landmark transactions. With the return to full family ownership and the expansion of the brand portfolio to include VADO, important strategic steps have been taken for the future,” said Alexander Stolitzka, a partner at Eversheds Sutherland, who led the two M&A deals together with Verena Frolik, an associate at Eversheds Sutherland.