Switzerland is now experiencing an impressive inflow of funds into private equity transactions. An article describes a complex deal executed in 1997 by Price Waterhouse, focusing on the tax issues raised at different stages of the transaction. From a tax perspective, it is important that the selling shareholders (as individuals rather then companies) realize a tax-free capital gain rather than a taxable dividend income while preserving the possibility for the purchaser to reorganize the acquired group. This will permit the debt to be pushed down to the operating companies.