Cleary Gottlieb is currently representing Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC in connection with the acquisition by International Automotive Components Group North America, a joint venture between FMA, WL Ross & Co. and the automotive components manufacturer, Lear Corporation, of the North American Interior business of Lear. The firm previously represented FMA in connection with acquisitions by a similar joint venture of Lear’s European Interior business, as well as the European Interior business of Collins & Aikman Corporation.
The definitive agreement was signed December 1 and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2007.
Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC, is a subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. a global investment management organization.