International law firm Bird & Bird has advised Franklin Electric Co., Inc., a global leader in flow control with a focus in water and energy systems, on the European aspects of its acquisition of Cat Pumps Corporation, for $350 million in cash plus a potential earnout of up to $50 million.
Cat Pumps, based in Minneapolis with global operations, is a market leader in high-pressure plunger and piston pumps serving commercial and industrial applications. The acquisition was completed on 4 September 2026 with Cat Pumps continuing to operate under its existing brand as part of Franklin Electric’s Energy Systems segment.
The Bird & Bird team was led by Nick O’Donnell (Partner, Corporate, London) with Sophie Edgar (Associate, Corporate, London) and Deeba Moqani (Solicitor Apprentice, Corporate, London), Tim Spillane (Partner, Employment, London), Freddie Eastwell (Associate, Employment, London), Saskia King (Partner, Commercial, London), Patrick Cordwell (Associate, Commercial, London), Marc Seeger (Partner, Corporate, Dusseldorf), Evgeniya Pfeffer (Associate, Corporate, Dusseldorf), Pauline Vos (Partner, Corporate, Amsterdam), Jephta Zantinge (Associate, Corporate, Amsterdam), Pierre-Raphaël Verbays (Associate, Corporate, Brussels) and Anke Istace (Senior Associate, Employment, Brussels).
Nick O’Donnell, Corporate Partner at Bird & Bird, commented: “We are delighted to have advised Franklin Electric on this significant acquisition. We look forward to seeing the combined business accelerate growth across markets.”
Catherine Collins, Franklin Electric, commented: “We are very grateful for the counsel and partnership that the Bird & Bird team brought to this strategic transaction.”
