PAI Partners, investors agree to sell Marcolin to VSP Vision

PAI Partners, investors agree to sell Marcolin to VSP Vision

In a significant development in the luxury eyewear industry, PAI Partners, the private equity firm owning Italian manufacturer Marcolin SpA, has agreed to sell the company to VSP Vision, the owner of Marchon Eyewear. The acquisition, which is in advanced talks, is expected to close in the coming weeks [1].

Marcolin, based in Longarone, Italy, is a leading designer and manufacturer of eyewear frames for brands such as Tom Ford and Guess. The company, with approximately 2,000 employees globally, generates most of its revenue from overseas through licensing partnerships with global fashion houses. The acquisition price is rumored to exceed €1 billion ($1.2 billion) [1].

VSP Vision, headquartered in the United States, is negotiating final terms of the deal. The acquisition would strengthen VSP Vision's position in the luxury eyewear market, which is dominated by EssilorLuxottica SA, the Franco-Italian heavyweight that owns brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley. The deal underscores Italy's continued leadership in the manufacturing of luxury eyewear [1].

Deliberations are ongoing, and while there is no certainty that the deal will close, Marcolin has also attracted interest from other potential buyers. Representatives for Marcolin and PAI Partners declined to comment, and VSP Vision did not immediately respond to requests for comment [1].

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-04/vsp-vision-said-in-talks-to-buy-pai-backed-eyewear-firm-marcolin