Austrian billionaire Andreas Kaufmann and Blackstone Inc. are considering selling a controlling stake in German camera maker Leica, a deal that could value the company at around €1 billion ($1,2 billion). пишет Bloomberg, citing its own informed sources who wished to remain anonymous, reported the report.
Potential buyers of Leica include HSG (formerly Sequoia Capital China) and Altor Equity Partners. The statement stated that after the deal is completed, the Kaufman family will have the option to reinvest the proceeds. It noted that negotiations are currently in the early stages, so there is no guarantee that the deal will go through. Representatives for Altor, HSG, Blackstone, and Leica declined to comment on the matter.
Leica, which revolutionized photography by making cameras more portable, traces its history to the mid-19th century. German engineer Karl Kellner founded the Optical Institute in Wetzlar, Germany, in 1849, but at the time, it manufactured eyeglasses and microscopes. The first Leica I camera entered production in late 1924, and the company itself changed names several times throughout its history, finally becoming Leica in 1986.
Leica was previously a public company for a time until the Kaufmann family bought it private in 2012. In 2005, Leica experienced a crisis when a significant decline in sales led to financial difficulties. Leica's most recent fiscal year, ending in March 2025, saw revenue increase by 7,6% to €596 million, driven by growth in its core business and mobile segment. The most significant growth was recorded in Europe, particularly Germany. In the mobile segment, Leica partners with Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi.
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Source: 3dnews.ru
