Barclays-backed Eschenbach builds US presence

The Eschenbach Group, a German eyeglass frames and sunglasses producer owned by Barclays Private Equity, has acquired US-based rival Tura.

The deal will see Eschenbach significantly increase its penetration of the North American market, where it has been operating under the BBH Eyewear Inc brand since 2001. The deal sees Tura remain an independently operated business in the US and will acquire BBH.

Barclays acquired a 70% stake in Eschenbach in July 2007, and made its first acquisition in 2008 through the purchase of International Eyewear in the UK.

The enlarged group is now estimating annual sales of almost US$210m in 2010.