Bollé Brands, a portfolio company of A&M Capital Europe (“AMCE”), a London based middle-market private equity firm managing €575 million of committed capital, has acquired SPY Inc (“SPY”), a designer and supplier of premium performance eyewear and helmets.
Founded in 1994 as a grassroots brand in Southern California, SPY designs, markets and distributes premium sunglasses, prescription eyewear, goggles and helmets. SPY, symbolized by the distinct “cross” logo, is a cutting-edge disruptive brand creating trendsetting products with a strong reputation for its high quality.
SPY is highly complementary to Bollé Brands in terms of brand proposition, channel mix and geographic presence. The combination will significantly bolster Bollé Brands’ scale in North America, will allow SPY to benefit from increased investment in product development and distribution, and will facilitate an international expansion of the SPY brand beyond its current footprint.
About Bollé Brands
Bollé Brands is a leading eyewear & head protection group that designs, markets and distributes sunglasses, goggles and protective helmets & eyewear under the Bollé, Bollé Safety, Cébé, Serengeti and H2Optix brands. The company was founded in France in 1888 and has developed a particular strength in the specialty markets of snow sports, water sports, cycling, running, tennis and premium sports lifestyle & fashion. Today, Bollé Brands products are distributed and worn all over the world and the company constantly refines its trademark combination of performance, fit, fashion and comfort, resulting in some of the most technologically advanced eyewear in the industry. Excellence in product innovation and creativity is at the heart of Bollé Brands’ strategy.
About A&M Capital Europe
A&M Capital Europe, with total capital commitments of €575 million, is Alvarez & Marsal Capital’s European middle-market investment strategy. AMCE leverages a highly experienced team of professionals, together with A&M Consulting’s 18 European offices to bring pan-European operating capabilities and industry relationships to bear in the sourcing, due diligence and post-acquisition monitoring and performance improvement of investment opportunities. AMCE has a strong and referenceable track record of serving as a trusted partner to founders and management teams, providing the capital and strategic assistance required to take businesses to the next level of success.
About Alvarez & Marsal Capital
Alvarez & Marsal Capital (“AMC”) is a multi-strategy private equity investment firm with over $3 billion in total capital commitments across three investment strategies. The firm is led by a highly experienced investment team, which is augmented by its strategic association with Alvarez & Marsal (“A&M”), one of the largest operationally focused advisory firms in the world. AMC uniquely combines a focus on middle-market private equity investing, with the deep operational expertise, industry knowledge and global corporate relationships of A&M, making it a uniquely attractive partner to management teams and business owners.
