Buy Leica (Inc.)?

[flip]

With many of the mirrorless cameras starting to sport viewfinders, it seems that the big companies are likely to pry away a bit more of the meager market Leica has held onto. Why wouldn't one of them simply gobble up Leica so that they could hold the brand and perhaps pop their own sensors in the Leica body? Nikon would appear to be an fitting suitor. What are the odds in the next 10 years? Thoughts?

 

[celluloidprop]

Leica is selling every M and S body and lens they can produce right now, it seems. The company is no danger of disappearing and I doubt that the current management is interested in selling it on to be a boutique name for Canikofusony.

 

[maddoc]

Didn`t that BlackStone just buy 44% of Leica`s stocks from Dr. Kaufmann`s company to get a foot into the market and help Leica expanding the market ?

 

[flip]

Management has to consider stockholders. Currently, this is a favorable condition to their plans.

Granted Kaufmann still maintains the majority, but As others buy in, I'd think that the potential for a buyout grows.

It must be nice to own a majority stake.

 

[rxmd]

You can't buy something unless there is someone to sell it.

ACM used to hold 97.5%. The probability of a buyout was zero. In fact ACM obtained Leica through a buyout.

Now ACM holds 53% and Blackstone holds 44. I would assume that the sale contract contains a provision limiting resale of Leica stock by Blackstone. The probability of a buyout is still extremely low.

 

[jsrockit]

With many of the mirrorless cameras starting to sport viewfinders, it seems that the big companies are likely to pry away a bit more of the meager market Leica has held onto. Why wouldn't one of them simply gobble up Leica so that they could hold the brand and perhaps pop their own sensors in the Leica body? Nikon would appear to be an fitting suitor. What are the odds in the next 10 years? Thoughts?

What other camera companies do doesn't affect Leica... Leica doesn't compete on specs, it competes on its history, its uniqueness, and its perceived luxury status.

 

[flip]

What other camera companies do doesn't affect Leica... Leica doesn't compete on specs, it competes on its history, its uniqueness, and its perceived luxury status.

However, what Leica represents affects other camera companies. Owning that brand goes a long way, I imagine.

 

[sig]

With many of the mirrorless cameras starting to sport viewfinders, it seems that the big companies are likely to pry away a bit more of the meager market Leica has held onto. Why wouldn't one of them simply gobble up Leica so that they could hold the brand and perhaps pop their own sensors in the Leica body? Nikon would appear to be an fitting suitor. What are the odds in the next 10 years? Thoughts?

I think the odds are greater now that Kaufman have gone from wanting 100% of the stocks (but not beein able to achieve it) to selling almost half of them. Leica also makes money now and that make it even more likely.