Following three-way negotiations, the deal would also include Optimaxx of Austria, a distributor of the French L'Amy range and German Metzler collections, which also trades under the name of Eyemaxx. If successful, the merger would create a business with a &\#163;100m annual turnover and have a substantial share of the German, French and US markets. According to a statement issued on behalf of the businesses, the boards of the three companies have identified 'significant industrial logic in the proposed combination' and an improvement in synergy would be made. If completed, the merger would mean: The segregation and specialisation of production between factories in France, Germany, the Czech Republic, and China The creation of a common communications system in distribution through the group Strengthening the firms' sales forces in the world's key markets. Any deal would require the approval of shareholders in Eyecare Products, which wholly owns L'Amy. Post-completion they would represent a majority equity stake in the enlarged group. The approval of Metzler and Optimaxx shareholders would also be required and, if successful, an announcement concerning the deal is expected in the autumn. L'Amy had sales worth &\#163;51m in 1997, and is the licencee of Lacoste Nina Ricci and Chaumet. It has a joint-venture company in China, and sales subsidiaries in seven countries. Metzler had 1997 sales totalling &\#163;30m, has licences for Marc O'Polo and Longines, and operates facilities in the Czech Republic as well Germany. Optimaxx is the worldwide eyewear licencee of the Norma Kamali brand.