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This announcement follows the appointment of Joerg Freimund as Partner earlier this year and more recently of Professor Dr. Klaus Steffens as Senior Adviser.

Mr Freimund, previously Head of Investment Banking Origination at leading European private banking group Sal. Oppenheim and prior to that M&A specialist at Société Générale – leads Steen's Frankfurt operations. His understanding of the industrials sector serves to complement the firm's existing activity and expands its geographical reach into German and French-speaking countries.

Prof Dr Klaus Steffens, formerly head of MTU, strengthens aerospace and automotive expertise
Professor Steffens is former head of the executive management of MTU, the leading jet engine manufacturer. Prior to that he was Chief Executive Engineer at Ford Motor Company. He will use his extensive knowledge of the global automotive and aerospace supply chains to serve companies seeking to acquire or dispose of businesses in these sectors.

Mr Freimund puts the reasons for deciding to open an office in Frankfurt into context: "Germany remains the heartland of industrial activity in the western world; it is also an important market for industrial products. A presence in Frankfurt places us at the centre of a market that is important to businesses active in mergers and acquisitions in the industrials sector, enhancing our ability to help companies – international as well as German – transact successful acquisitions and disposals."

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Global aerospace and automotive expert

From 2000 to 2004 Professor Steffens was head of the executive management of MTU, the leading jet engine manufacturer, steering the company through the globalisation of the business, outstanding financial results, sale to a private equity company and preparation for an IPO. He joined MTU in 1996 as COO and was responsible for programmes such as the engine for the Eurofighter, the European transportation airplane A400M, and the A380. Professor Steffens remains a member of MTU's Supervisory Board.

Chief Executive Engineer at Ford

Prior to this, as Chief Executive Engineer at Ford Motor Company, he held global responsibility for the development and production process engineering of Ford's transmission systems, having previously gained international experience in a number of management positions in production and development at the company. During his 20 years at Ford Professor Steffens was based in the UK.

He is currently Chairman of the Board of CompuGroup Medical AG (CGM), a leading publicly-traded German software company serving the health industry. He teaches the "Technology of Aircraft Propulsion" as a guest professor at the technical University of Aachen.

His appointment follows the appointment earlier this year of Joerg Freimund as Partner at Steen Associates. Previously Head of Investment Banking Origination at leading European private banking group Sal. Oppenheim and prior to that M&A specialist at Société Générale, Mr Freimund's understanding of the industrials sector serves to complement Steen's existing activity and expand the firm's geographical reach into German and French-speaking countries.

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Prior to joining Steen in 2011 Philippe worked in investment banking with Calyon Credit Agricole and Royal Bank of Scotland in Paris. He has an MSc in Management from EM LYON Business School and a BA in Philosophy from Paris-Sorbonne University. A native of France, Philippe has lived in the USA and the UK and speaks English and German in addition to his native French.

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The businesses together represent the global leader in the manufacture and supply of shim components to the commercial and military aerospace markets. The four businesses are: Lamsco and Bolsan in the US and Attewell and PSG in the UK – and operate on a standalone basis within Hampson Industries plc. Following the transaction the acquired businesses will be re-named Shimtech Industries.

In addition to shims, Shimtech manufactures a range of standard and high performance non-metallic seals and gaskets for high technology industrial applications and provides value-added integrated supply chain and logistics solutions.

Steen Associates Managing Partner Jason Steen commented: "The acquisition of Shimtech is typical of the high quality, international M&A transactions involving niche, market-leading commercial aerospace assets and technology that investors are currently seeking. As order books continue to lengthen and build rates grow, we remain very optimistic about the long-term trend in commercial aerospace and the continuation of its attractive growth characteristics."

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Airbus's offer is for the entire share capital of Satair, a world-leading supplier of aircraft parts and service solutions for aircraft maintenance and the largest independent distributor of aircraft parts for the aftermarket in Europe. The offer is for 580 Danish Kroner per share, including warrants, and values the business at an enterprise value of $504 million.

The announcement of the offer follows Satair's decision to perform a structured study of the best future for Satair and all its stakeholders. Steen Associates was appointed by the Board to aid in that study by conducting a structured process to gauge potential interest in the business. As a result of that process the Board of Directors of Satair has unanimously recommended that the company's shareholders accept the offer from Airbus.

Commenting on the transaction, Steen Associates Managing Partner Jason Steen said:

"We are fortunate to have advised Satair through its complete business cycle. We helped the business expand its international capability, first through the acquisition of Pall Corporation's North American and European commercial distribution activities in 2005 and then, the following year, through its acquisition of TPA Pte, an aerospace distribution and MRO business based in Singapore.

"Last October we advised the company on the sale of its OEM activities to B/E Aerospace, the world's leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products and distributor of aerospace fasteners and consumables for $162 million.

"With today's announcement of the offer from Airbus, we are delighted to have helped Satair achieve another important milestone, resulting in an excellent offer for Satair's stakeholders from an offeror that will provide the company with stability and excellent growth opportunities. Satair is a strategically important asset given trends towards service-based contracts and consolidation within the aerospace supply chain, as confirmed by today's attractive offer by such a major player in the global aerospace industry.

"Finally, I would like to mention how privileged we feel to have worked so closely with Satair's management and Board to help them achieve their aims over the years. They are, I believe, one of the highest calibre teams in the industry."

Completion of the offer will enable Airbus to capitalize on its own commercial network and Satair's offering and distribution capabilities to position itself as a leading global service and support provider for airlines and maintenance, repair and overhaul providers (MROs).

The offer is subject to customary conditions for a public offer in Denmark as set out in the offer document.

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During a 20-year career in investment banking, Joerg has completed more than 50 M&A assignments across Europe for a diverse range of multi-national and mid-market corporations and private equity clients.

His understanding of the industrials sector serves to complement Steen's existing activity and expand the firm's geographical reach into German and French-speaking countries.

Joerg was previously Head of Investment Banking Origination at leading European private banking group Sal. Oppenheim and prior to that M&A specialist at Société Générale. During this time he led both Société Générale's automotive and electronics sector teams and the bank's investment banking activities in German-speaking countries. Joerg started his career in 1991 in corporate finance at BHF Bank, Frankfurt.

Commenting on his appointment Joerg said: "Steen Associates is one of the most successful M&A boutiques specialising in cross-border transactions in the industrials sector and I am delighted to be joining the team. I look forward to using my understanding and knowledge to complement the firm's existing activity and expand our geographical reach into German and French-speaking countries."

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