Acquisition of Irish Medical Device Manufacturer by Dechert
In a significant move, Dechert, a global law firm, advised Graham Partners on the acquisition of Smithstown Light Engineering (SLE), an Ireland-based medical device manufacturer. The deal marks Graham Partners' strategic focus on investing in advanced manufacturing firms with strong technological capabilities in the medical device sector.
John LaRocca and Stephanie Haas, corporate partners from Dechert's Philadelphia office, led the team that advised Graham Partners. They were supported by associates Rodrigo Rivera, Casey Klein, Nick Pullen, and Abigail Ferraioli.
The acquisition involves the purchase of SLE, a company that specializes in precision-engineered components and sub-assemblies for surgical applications. SLE has facilities in Ireland and in Poland.
The medical device sector is currently undergoing strong growth due to shifts toward disposable medical products and minimally invasive surgeries. An aging population is living longer due to medical advancements, further fueling the demand for medical devices.
For the transaction, Dechert provided comprehensive legal advisory services, offering expertise in corporate law, finance, tax, and regulatory matters related to the deal.
Specialized legal advice on global finance aspects was provided by partner Alon Goldberger, and tax issues were handled by partner Joshua Milgrim and associate Ishani Kundu. For regulatory compliance concerning FDA matters, Dechert's special counsel Seth Ray gave expert guidance.
This multi-disciplinary legal team helped structure the acquisition to ensure smooth regulatory and transactional processes, leveraging Dechert's extensive experience advising on complex, cross-border commercial and regulatory issues in life sciences and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Joe Heinmiller, managing partner of Graham Partners, has conviction that SLE is well-positioned for future growth. Megan Barsella, vice president of Graham Partners, is excited to partner with SLE.
Graham Partners has prior experience investing in outsourced medical device manufacturing companies, including Velosity and Medbio. The firm is committed to partnering with family-owned businesses and focusing on advanced manufacturing companies.
Medical device companies are turning to companies like SLE to streamline their supply chains. SLE specializes in the manufacturing of highly engineered, machined parts and sub-assemblies for various surgical uses, including endoscopic, orthopaedic, neurological, and vascular.
On August 5, 2025, Dechert played a crucial role in helping Graham Partners execute a significant European platform investment in SLE by addressing legal, financial, tax, and regulatory complexities integral to such a transaction in the medical device industry across multiple jurisdictions.
- The acquisition of SLE, a medical device manufacturer specializing in precision-engineered components, was advised by Dechert's global law firm, marking Graham Partners' investment in advanced manufacturing firms within the health-and-wellness industry.
- Dechert's multidisciplinary legal team provided comprehensive legal advisory services, addressing corporate law, finance, tax, and regulatory matters related to the deal, including global finance aspects, tax issues, and regulatory compliance concerning FDA matters.
- The medical device sector, experiencing growth due to shifts toward disposable medical products and minimally invasive surgeries, is attracting attention from investors like Graham Partners and manufacturers like SLE, as they collaborate to streamline supply chains and meet the increasing demand for medical devices.
