The transaction positions TOKK to assume a leading role in the packaging manufacturing market.
The BIRCH team, led by Partner Timur Akhundov, served as legal counsel on the deal. The project team also included Senior Associate Arsen Simonyan and Associate Fatime Kurkchi. Investment advisory services were provided by ink Advisory, led by Managing Partner Ruslan Izmaylov.
Executive Commentary
- Elena Stoyanova, CEO of TOKK: “This deal is critically important for the packaging market, particularly in stabilizing the supply of tin cans and twist-off caps. For TOKK, this marks our first M&A transaction in company history. While we were initially cautious about this approach to business expansion, we couldn't be more pleased with the result. We are grateful to the teams at ink Advisory and BIRCH for guiding every stage of the deal to a successful close.”
- Timur Akhundov, Partner at BIRCH: “This transaction is unprecedented in the Russian market. As legal advisors, we typically work on deals that follow relatively standard structures. This project was different – it involved a highly non-standard framework that required resolving existing obligations with banking institutions and the state budget, managing relationships with prior shareholders, and coordinating operations across three separate Russian regions. In addition, the Federal Antimonopoly Service required an in-person review of the application and formal commitments regarding production targets. Despite the deal's complex structure and an implementation mechanism that has no comparable precedent in the domestic market, the combined efforts of all parties allowed us to bring the project to a successful close and help our client achieve their strategic objectives.”
- Mikhail Timonov, Со-Managing Partner at BIRCH: “The foundation of this deal was an airtight legal structure and full transparency, both of which ensured stability throughout the entire process. The parties put in significant work to structure the deal's most complex interdependencies. We are grateful to the client for entrusting us with such a challenge.”
- Ruslan Izmaylov, Managing Partner at ink Advisory: “TOKK's expansion in the packaging market reflects the growing sophistication of Russian business – a willingness to embrace unconventional solutions and pursue new paths to scale. We hope this project sets a benchmark for the market and demonstrates what becomes possible when companies are open to new growth strategies.”