Morrison Foerster (MoFo) has advised Japanese technology company SoftBank Group on its USD5.375 billion definitive agreement to acquire Swiss machine automation company ABB’s robotics business, with Freshfields acting for ABB.
MoFo’s global co-chair of M&A Gary Brown told Asia Business Law Journal that the transaction was a “complex carve-out” of ABB’s robotics business from its global operations.
“Given that it is a technology-focused target, there are significant intellectual property considerations, and the carved-out business will require transitional services to ensure a smooth separation.”
Tokyo office managing partner and head of its M&A team Ken Siegel, Brown, corporate partner Stuart Alford and of counsel Luke Rowland led the MoFo team.
Meanwhile, Freshfields partners Piers Prichard Jones, Tom Godwin and Stephen Hewes, and counsel Piusha Bose provided counsel for ABB.
Brown noted that MoFo was advising SoftBank on all approvals.
“The deal is conditional upon customary regulatory approvals, including in the European Union, China and the United States,” he said.
ABB’s robotics business operated across some 45 jurisdictions, including key Asian markets such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, said Brown.
Brown added that MoFo had leveraged its global regulatory and employment teams with expertise in cross-border M&A matters to support the deal.
The acquisition has been approved by SoftBank Group’s board of directors and remains subject to regulatory approvals in the European Union, China and the United States, as well as other customary closing conditions. The transaction, announced on 8 October 2025, is expected to close in mid-to-late 2026.
