Rodenstock Seeks Financial Partners

The sale of Rodenstock is still a possibility: after the news appeared yesterday in Frankfurt Allgemeine Zeitung, Randolf Rodenstock explained at a press conference in Munich that the company is seeking new investors. Negotiations are ongoing. 'We are looking at all the options', said the majority shareholder of Germany's largest eyewear company. However, Rodenstock refused to reply when asked if a majority share would be disposed of. Although several companies have shown an interest in acquisition, according to official sources the family would prefer a purely financial partner.

The task of finding new investors in the space of three months has been entrusted to Frankfurt-based financial advisory company Drueker & Co.. Randolf Rodenstock emphasized that the objective is to ensure the financing of company growth. Listing on the stock exchange is not possible at the moment, but it is being considered as an interesting option for the future.

In 2001 Rodenstock's deficit was 19 million euros out of overall billings of 422 million euros. According to provisional figures, the company's 2002 billings increased by approximately 3% in its core sector, eyewear, which registered billings of 368 million euros in 2001.