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Italian eyewear manufacturer Marcolin is attracting suitors in a sale process first reported by Reuters, including Kering, Essilor Luxottica, Safilo and Marchon, the FT reports.

Why it matters: The company, which is owned by PE firm PAI Partners, is seeking a valuation of up to €1.3 billion, per the FT.

Yes, but: The valuation may be a friction point between Marcolin and potential buyers, the FT says.

Zoom in: PAI, which owns an 83% stake in the business, hired investment bank Goldman Sachs to run the process.

Marcolin inked a perpetual licensing agreement to produce eyewear under the Tom Ford brand, which is owned by Estée Lauder, for €250 million last year, per the FT.

It also makes products under the Pucci, Zegna, Max&Co and Christian Louboutin brands.

Luxottica and Kering among suitors for eyewear maker Marcolin

PE firm PAI Partners, which owns the company, is said to be asking for up to €1.3 billion.

Fashion designer Tom Ford is photographed wearing his signature sunglasses.

The designer Tom Ford wearing his signature eyewear. Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Mergers and acquisitions

Italian eyewear manufacturer Marcolin is attracting suitors in a sale process <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first reported by Reuters" data-vars-click-url="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kering-essilorluxottica-among-suitors-eyewear-131637384.html" data-vars-content-id="5e39a71b-67d3-4e06-bc29-17879b32a9cc" data-vars-headline="Luxottica and Kering among suitors for eyewear maker Marcolin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kering-essilorluxottica-among-suitors-eyewear-131637384.html" target="_blank">first reported by Reuters</a>, including Kering, Essilor Luxottica, Safilo and Marchon, the FT reports.Why it matters: The company, which is owned by PE firm PAI Partners, is seeking a valuation of up to €1.3 billion, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the FT" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ft.com/content/610029f8-d254-482a-a28c-167aa2eefcf3" data-vars-content-id="5e39a71b-67d3-4e06-bc29-17879b32a9cc" data-vars-headline="Luxottica and Kering among suitors for eyewear maker Marcolin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ft.com/content/610029f8-d254-482a-a28c-167aa2eefcf3" target="_blank">per the FT</a>.

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Luxottica and Kering among suitors for eyewear maker Marcolin

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