Labelux, a privately held luxury group, said on Sunday that it had agreed to acquire the high-end shoe and accessories company Jimmy Choo from TowerBrook Capital Partners, a private equity company, and minority shareholders.
The price was not disclosed. TowerBrook had been considering taking Jimmy Choo public, but opted to sell it to a strategic buyer. The sale values the company at about £500 million, or $800 million, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said, declining to elaborate or be identified because they were not authorised to discuss the matter.
“Jimmy Choo has expanded from 60 stores to an international footprint of 120 sites and substantial potential awaits the Jimmy Choo brand, particularly in Asia, where Labelux has a proven track record,” said Ramez Sousou, co-chief executive of TowerBrook, which bought the company in 2007.
“Jimmy Choo has enormous growth potential and the ability to deliver material growth synergies across our group,” Labelux CEO Reinhard Mieck said in a statement.
Jimmy Choo had net sales of 150 million pounds in 2010 and is growing at more than 10 percent in all categories and geographic regions, Labelux said.
Labelux, based in Austria, is a division of Joh. A. Benckiser, the investment arm of the Reimann family. Founded in 2007, Labelux holds such fashion brands as Bally, Derek Lam and Zagliani in its portfolio.
Jimmy Choo’s top management, including its founder and chief creative officer, Tamara Mellon, and its chief executive, Joshua Schulman, reportedly plan to remain with the company after it changes hands. Labelux hired Rothschild as its financial adviser and Hogan Lovells as legal counsel.
Schulman was advised by Pearce L.L.P. Mellon was advised by MX Capital Partners, Vedder Price and Travers Smith. TowerBrook hired Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley as its advisers, and Kirkland & Ellis as legal counsel. The deal is expected to close next month.
Source : Financial Express
