PARIS — U.K. buyout firm Bridgepoint has joined forces with Apax Partners to acquire leading French jewelry distributors Histoire d’Or and Marc Orian SA in a bid to become the European leader in selective jewelry distribution. The deal was worth 600 million euros, or $837.8 million at current exchange. Histoire d’Or was sold by Silverfleet Capital and Marc Orian SA was sold by Qualium Investment.
Sales for the two chains in 2009 totaled 184 million euros and 168 million euros, respectively, or 256.7 and 234.3 million at average exchange rates for the period. The firms jointly operate a total of 509 stores in Europe. Eric Belmonte, who will preside over the new group stated: “Connecting Histoire d’Or and Marc Orian SA will allow us to become a national champion in our [sector] and a competitive player for expansion abroad.”