LONDON: Inspecs Group plc has conditionally agreed to acquire all of the equity interests in Eschenbach Holding GmbH for €94.85 million, a news release said. The Consideration will be paid wholly in cash on closing.
Eschenbach is a leading, global, eyewear supplier headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany. It has two divisions, one focused on designing and distributing glasses frames and one on designing, manufacturing and distributing specialist optics products.
The Acquisition represents a key strategic step in the Company’s growth as a global, vertically integrated, eyewear firm. Eschenbach’s established presence in the USA and continental Europe (in particular Germany and France) alongside its portfolio of more than 15 ‘in house’ and licensed brands are complementary to Inspecs and will help position the Company as one of the leading eyewear companies in the world.
The Acquisition and associated costs will be funded by way of; (i) a conditional placing to raise gross proceeds of £64 million (the “Placing”) to be announced separately today (the “Placing Announcement”); (ii) $8 million (approximately £6.0 million) drawn down from the Company’s existing bank facility and a further $10 million (approximately £7.5 million) under an accordion facility; and (iii) approximately $15 million (approximately £11.3 million) in cash reserves.
The Inspecs board of directors believe that the Acquisition will deliver on all of their strategic acquisition objectives whilst also being financially compelling for the Company.
Robin Totterman, Inspecs CEO, commented, “We are delighted to have agreed to acquire Eschenbach, Germany’s no.1 eyewear company which in turn owns one of the leading eyewear companies in the USA, Tura. As a high-quality business with a strong management team and track record of margin-accretive growth, Eschenbach represents the ideal fit for Inspecs.
“Moreover, it will enable the Group to penetrate key global markets, broaden our customer reach, strengthen our brand portfolio and capitalise on the compelling structural opportunities that exist in the fragmented global eyewear market.
“By adding to the Group’s resilient, vertically integrated business model, this deal expands our global distribution network and brings over 250 salespeople into the Group, propelling Inspecs to a new high by creating one of the largest eyewear companies in the world.
“We look forward to welcoming the Eschenbach team and working together to build on Inspecs’ recent positive trading momentum while accelerating our long term growth and delivering value to our shareholders.”
Eschenbach is a leading eyewear supplier headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany. The Eyewear Division generated approximately 78 per cent. of Eschenbach’s revenue in the year to 31 December 2019, while the Optics Division generated approximately 22 per cent. of such revenue.
The Eyewear Division currently supplies frames for over 15 brands, including both ‘in house’ and licensed brands. These brands are typically addressed to the ‘premium’ eyewear market. Eschenbach has won awards for the design of its frames, including being a ‘German Design Award Winner’ and ‘Red Dot Award Winner’ in 2020.
In 2019, Eschenbach sold approximately 3.6 million frames.
The Optics Division produces vision technology (e.g. low vision aids) and consumer optics (e.g. binoculars), utilising the expertise of more than 70 in-house opticians. The division has a strong engineering pedigree and is a world leader in magnification.
Eschenbach has a global distribution network, with over 250 sales representatives, more than 12 international subsidiaries and distribution into over 80 countries. It is the number one supplier of prescription glasses in Germany and one of the leading independent eyewear distributors in the USA.
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