Marcolin has agreed to acquire American eyewear company Viva International Group.
A stock purchase agreement has been signed between the Italian eyewear manufacturer and Viva International owner HVHC Inc – which also controls Visionworks of America and Davis Vision – and the acquisition is expected to become effective in the next few months.
Founded in 1961, Marcolin reported approximately US$282 million in sales in 2012. It is backed by leading European private equity firm PAI Partners, which acquired a majority shareholding in the company in December 2012, and is said to have extensive experience in the consumer sector.
Following the acquisition, the combined businesses “will be well positioned to offer customers differentiated value in the industry”, the companies said in a statement.
Viva International’s portfolio ranges from accessible luxury brands Gant by Michael Bastian and Marciano; to fashion and lifestyle brands Bongo, Candie’s, Catherine Deneuve, Gant, Gant Rugger, Guess, Harley-Davidson, Rampage, Skechers, and William Rast; and value names Viva, Magic Clip, and Savvy.
Marcolin CEO Giovanni Zoppas said: “We are very pleased to announce the acquisition of Viva International. The combination of the two companies will deliver significant extra value for our customers and brands, creating a truly global player in the industry as we look to expand our footprint with the support of PAI Partners.”
HVHC President and CEO David Holmberg said: “We are very excited about the possibilities that this acquisition will bring to Viva’s customers and we look forward to developing a strong, strategic business relationship with Marcolin.”
About HVHC Inc.
HVHC Inc is a privately-held, for-profit holding company of a portfolio of vision companies which includes Davis Vision, Inc; Viva Optique, Inc (Viva International); and Visionworks of America, Inc (formerly Eye Care Centers of America, Inc). Together the vertically integrated company is said to be the third largest provider of managed vision care products and services, and the third largest operator of specialty optical retail stores, in the US.
About Marcolin
Marcolin, a leading luxury eyewear company, has a portfolio of brands under licence that includes Tom Ford, Balenciaga, Montblanc, Roberto Cavalli , Tod’s, Swarovski, DSquared2, Diesel, 55DSL, Just Cavalli, Cover Girl, Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Timberland. The Group’s own brands include Marcolin, National and Web.
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