徕卡又要出售了，中资买下百年可乐标？｜硅谷观察

Core Viewpoint - Leica Camera's major shareholders, ACM and Blackstone, are considering selling their controlling stake, with an estimated valuation of €10-12 billion ($12-15 billion) [1][34][35] Group 1: Company Background - Leica's origins trace back to 1849 when Carl Kellner founded the "Optical Institute" in Germany, which later evolved into the Leica brand [2][37] - The first 35mm camera prototype, Ur-Leica, was designed by Oskar Barnack in 1914, marking a significant milestone in photography history [6][39] - Leica has become synonymous with documentary photography, capturing pivotal moments throughout the 20th century [6][39] Group 2: Financial History and Ownership Changes - In 2004, Andreas Kaufmann acquired a majority stake in Leica for approximately €65 million ($82 million), rescuing the company from near bankruptcy [8][41] - Blackstone invested about €130 million ($179 million) in 2011 for a 44% stake, valuing Leica at approximately €278 million [9][42] - Currently, ACM holds 55% and Blackstone holds 45% of Leica's shares [9][42] Group 3: Brand Transformation and Market Performance - Blackstone's involvement has transformed Leica from a traditional workshop into a global luxury brand, positioning it as the "Rolls Royce of imaging" [12][44] - Leica's revenue has grown from €450 million to €596 million over the past four fiscal years, despite a declining traditional camera market [14][45] - The company has successfully diversified its business and adopted a luxury branding strategy, which has significantly increased its profit margins [12][45] Group 4: Exit Strategy and Market Dynamics - Blackstone is looking to exit its investment as it has surpassed the initial 5-7 year exit period agreed upon at the time of investment [15][46] - The potential sale is driven by a slowdown in revenue growth, with the last fiscal year's growth rate dropping to 7.6% [16][46] - The sale process has attracted interest from various potential buyers, including Chinese private equity firm HSG, European funds, and optical groups [1][35][56] Group 5: Strategic Partnerships - Leica has formed strategic partnerships with Huawei and Xiaomi, significantly boosting its presence in the mobile imaging market [14][49][52] - The collaboration with Huawei led to the successful launch of the P9 smartphone, which sold over 12 million units within a year, enhancing both brands' market positions [17][51] - Following the end of the partnership with Huawei, Leica has sought new collaborations, notably with Xiaomi, to maintain its growth trajectory in mobile imaging [20][52] Group 6: Future Prospects and Challenges - The upcoming sale of Leica's controlling stake may lead to significant changes in its operational strategy and market approach [25][56] - Potential buyers like Zeiss and HSG could influence Leica's future direction, particularly in expanding its market share in China, which has seen a 25% increase in sales [25][56] - The need for Leica to maintain brand prestige while increasing sales volume remains a critical challenge for its new ownership [31][62]