Trilantic moves for Rodenstock

The private equity fund Trilantic Capital Partners that is backed by the chairman of Richemont, Johann Rupert, has offered to take control of Rodenstock with the support of the Swiss luxury goods group, according to the Financial Times, January 29.

Under the proposal, being negotiated with Rodenstock's banks and its UK private equity partner Bridgepoint, the FT claimed Richemont had offered a licensing agreement that would allow Rodenstock to make frames under its luxury brands such as Chloe and Montblanc.

The report stated that the licensing deal with Richemont would help double Rodenstock's turnover and profit over the next three years. It added that the offer required Trilantic and Bridgepoint to reach an agreement with Rodenstock's lenders to restructure the eyewear maker's €370m debt.