Headlines

Eyewear Maker Gets New Owner, New CEO

Published

6 years ago

October 20, 2017

The new chief has been with the firm for a decade.

Premium Equity Partners has acquired a majority of the shares of Berlin eyewear manufacturer ic! berlin.

Ralph Anderl, until now the sole owner of ic! berlin, has sold the majority of his shares, according to a press release.

“He now takes on his new position as a member of the advisory board with his remaining shares,” the release stated.

Meanwhile, Jörg Reinhold, who has been with ic! berlin for more than a decade, has taken over as CEO.

Anderl said that with Premium, “I was able to successfully initiate the succession for my company.”

“Together we will continue along ic! berlin’s unapologetic path,” he said. “I am happy that we were able to inspire our new co-owners with our plans for the future.”

Ic! berlin, which makes corrective eyewear and sunglasses, said its focus “will remain on organisational growth through the development of new international markets and expansion in, and acquisition of, new target groups.” It will remain “Made in Germany, handmade in Berlin.”

Ic! berlin employs about 190 people in Berlin and in locations across Europe, Asia and North America.

“We look forward to implementing the plans for growth with ic! berlin,” said Marcel van Wijk, CEO of Premium. “The international presence, the production and design know-how and the dynamics of the ic! berlin team provide an excellent basis.”

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