Tag Archive for: Xavier Ruiz

RC Law Advised Hotel Owner on a Deal with Barcelo on US Hotel

El prado hotel california

RC Law advised Ferrado Inmuebles on a complex operating lease to transfer the management of El Prado Hotel, a 62-room luxury hotel located in Palo Alto, California, to Crestline Hotels & Resorts, the US affiliate of Palma de Mallorca based Barcelo Hotel Group.  Ferrado Inmuebles is the real estate investment group owned by Sandra Ortega.  Crestline was advised by Eckert Seamans of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

PRESS RELEASES

Sandra Ortega sigue tratando de rentabilizar sus inversiones inmobiliarias a través de su sociedad inmobiliaria (Ferrado Inmuebles) tras el desplome sin precedentes provocado por el coronavirus. Tras cerrar 2020 con unas pérdidas de 128,5 millones de euros, la compañía está revisando todos los contratos en vigor para revertir una cuenta de resultados negativa. Y el último movimiento se ha producido esta mañana, en la que la hotelera Barceló ha anunciado que Crestline Hotels & Resorts, la gestora que opera sus inmuebles en EE UU, se ha hecho con la gestión del hotel El Prado, propiedad de Ferrado Inmuebles.

El inmueble, situado en Palo Alto (California), cuenta con 62 habitaciones y ha sido reformardo íntegramente. “El Prado es uno de los hoteles más emblemáticos del centro de Palo Alto. Se trata de un sofisticado y elegante establecimiento, ideal tanto para los visitantes como para los residentes. Estamos deseando incorporar el servicio característico de Crestline a este histórico hotel”, ha recalcado James Carroll, presidente de Crestline Hotels & Resorts.

Las pérdidas de la sociedad inmobiliaria han deteriorado las cuentas del holding Rosp Corunna en el que se integra. Esta sociedad perdió 91 millones en 2020 y sus ingresos cayeron un 24% hasta los 159,6 millones de euros.

Source: https://cincodias.elpais.com/cincodias/2021/11/05/companias/1636116593_888274.html

Barceló Hotel Group has signed an agreement to manage a hotel located in Palo Alto (California, United States), owned by Sandra Ortega, through the hotel’s US management company, Crestline Hotels & Resorts.

The hotel is owned by Ferrado Inmuebles, which in turn belongs to the daughter of the founder of Inditex, Amancio Ortega, and that she has selected Crestline Hotels & Resorts to take over the management of El Prado Hotel.

This hotel ’boutique’ deluxe It offers 62 rooms and ‘suites’ and is characterized by its Spanish architecture and its European atmosphere.

Source: https://live-feeds.com/barcelo-will-manage-a-sandra-ortega-luxury-hotel-in-palo-alto-california/

Barceló Hotel Group has signed an agreement to manage a hotel located in Palo Alto (California, USA), owned by Sandra Ortega, through the hotel’s American manager, Crestline Hotels & Resorts.

The hotel is owned by Ferrado Inmuebles, which in turn belongs to the daughter of the founder of Inditex, Amancio Ortega, and who has selected Crestline Hotels & Resorts to take over the management of El Prado Hotel.

This luxury boutique hotel offers 62 rooms and suites and is characterized by its Spanish architecture and European atmosphere.

Source: https://today.in-24.com/business/553799.html

RC Law Advised on the Sale of the Laguna Riviera Resort

RC Law acted as seller’s counsel on the sale of the historic beachfront Laguna Riviera Beach Resort, located in Laguna Beach, California to Soul Community Planet hotel group.  The Laguna Riviera Beach Resort first opened in 1948 and it is the first acquisition in California of the Oregon based hospitality group.  The transaction was structured as an asset deal.  Buyer was represented by Greenberg Traurig’s San Francisco office.

BUYER’S PRESS RELEASE

Soul Community Planet (SCP) announced today the acquisition of the 41-room, beachfront Laguna Riviera Beach Resort (Laguna Riviera). The historic Laguna Beach hotel marks SCP’s first expansion into California, and its sixth hotel overall. The acquisition advances SCP’s plan to expand its footprint into communities that align with SCP’s healthy, kind, green values.

Opened in 1948, the Laguna Riviera is located directly on the beach just two blocks south of Downtown Laguna Beach. Described as a part French Riviera and part Mediterranean retreat, the resort boasts scenic coastal views, direct access to surfing and stand up paddle boarding, and features a variety of room categories, including oceanfront studios to grand one-bedroom suites, many with a full kitchen, private oceanfront decks, and fireplaces.

“The vision of Soul Community Planet is to make the world around us a better place by serving those who value wellness, kindness and sustainability. The beautiful seaside community of Laguna Beach is an eclectic fusion of California art, food and surf culture. It’s also one of the healthiest, kindest and most sustainability focused communities we know. As such, we see Laguna Beach as an ideal place for Soul Community Planet, and we look forward to merging SCP’s holistic hospitality with Laguna Beach’s cool California vibe,” said Soul Community Planet Co-Founder and CEO Ken Cruse. “Our planned renovations of the hotel are intended to complement the character of Laguna Beach and will be thoughtfully conducted with city and community involvement every step of the way to ensure our efforts add to, rather than dilute, the eclectic authenticity that makes Laguna Beach so special.”

The hotel will maintain the Laguna Riviera Beach Resort name while undergoing the planned multi-million-dollar renovation and repositioning program. The design effort, led by Kelly Ogden of ELK Collective, will infuse the hotel with SCP’s signature “Scandi-boho” design aesthetic, new landscaping and exterior, and will incorporate SCP’s distinct brand features throughout. Upon completion of the renovations, the hotel will be rebranded as the SCP Laguna Beach. Opening rates at the SCP Laguna Beach will start at $250. SCP announced earlier this year it will become fully vegetarian across all of its venues, achieve net-zero waste company-wide, and standardize all of its guest rooms on its signature “Peaceful Rooms” design by the end of 2022. These and other SCP brand services and programs are planned to be featured at the new SCP Laguna Beach. The SCP Laguna Beach is also planned to feature a signature SCP’s Provisions Market, which will offer wholesome, locally sourced, fresh, organic food and drink, including local craft beer, California wine, kombucha and coffee, along with local arts and crafts items.

Source:

https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4106846.html

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211005006056/en/Soul-Community-Planet-Acquires-Iconic-Laguna-Riviera-Beach-Resort-Marking-First-Expansion-Into-the-Golden-State

RC Law Advised Spradling International in the Acquisition of CMI Enterprises’ Assets

RC Law advised Spradling International Inc., a leading supplier of vinyl products, in the acquisition of the business of CMI Enterprises through an asset transaction (including real estate assets), pursuant to a bidding process. Spradling, an Alabama-based company has four offices in the United States as well as in Germany, Spain, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. CMI Enterprises has manufacturing facilities in Indiana and in North Carolina. CMI Enterprises was counseled by Berger Singerman, Miami office. 

Client’s Press Release:

Pelham AL – July 12, 2021 – Spradling International, Inc.® is pleased to announce the asset acquisition of CMI Enterprises.

This transaction presents increased opportunities for the business and its employees to leverage and enhance the company’s portfolio providing an unparalleled array of products, services, and solutions including lamination, die-cutting, and high-frequency welding, The agreement also strengthens Spradling’s operational foot print in the Midwest and the Southeast with a presence in Elkhart, Indiana and Forrest City, N.C. that will better serve a growing client base in those regions.

“The asset purchase of CMI fits perfectly into Spradling’s long-term strategic goal of further developing our capabilities and strengthening our product innovation in ways that will benefit customers.” says Chuck Streich, President of Spradling International, Inc. “We have been friendly competitors for years, and now we look forward to working together as a team”.

Many CMI employees will now become part of the Spradling family, bringing an average of more than 15 years of experience in the industry, which will accelerate the combined company’s growth potential under the new business unit, Spradling Resources, focused on the commercial OEM sector.

Founded in 1964, Spradling International is a leading supplier of vinyl coated fabrics, servicing the automotive, marine, contract, and commercial seating markets. With corporate headquarters in Pelham, Alabama, Spradling supports an international community of customers from multiple worldwide office and warehouse facilities located in California, Michigan, New Jersey, Tennessee, Florida, Germany, Spain, Ecuador, and Venezuela. The company’s distribution network also extends throughout Canada, Australia, and the Pacific Rim.

Source: https://spradling.group/en-us/blog/spradling-announces-acquisition

RC Law Advised Mr. Jeff in the U.S. Following a $43M Fundraising

Miami, Fla. – Mr Jeff – a laundry franchise infused with cutting edge technology that has modernized the tedious task of laundry in more than 30 countries through a seamless 48-hour home pickup and delivery mobile app-based service – announced today it is expanding its booming franchise into the United States.

After raising $43 million in funding and growing across the globe with 2,000 franchisees in Europe, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, Mr Jeff is introducing its comprehensive “Business in a Box” franchise opportunity, connecting the offline and online worlds, to U.S. entrepreneurs.

Initially, Mr Jeff is offering the franchise opportunity to qualified entrepreneurs in select cities within Arizona; Colorado; Florida; Kansas; Massachusetts; Missouri; New Hampshire; Nevada; Oregon; Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee and Vermont. The company will announce additional target markets throughout 2021.

Mr Jeff was founded by three university friends in Valencia, Spain, who wanted to make life easier for their community, just like the brand’s namesake Geoffrey – the beloved, witty butler featured on the hit 90’s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The trio built Jeff – an omnichannel platform bringing the convenience of Amazon or Netflix to day-to-day services like laundry, fitness, massage and beauty. Currently, laundry is the only service offering that will be available in the United States, with fitness, massage and beauty to be introduced at a later time.

Mr Jeff offers a quick and easy laundry solution ideally suited for today’s busy consumers, and those looking for a contactless laundry solution during the ongoing pandemic. After the customer places the order through the app, the laundry bag is collected at the customer’s home, the order is processed at the Mr Jeff store and the clean clothes are sent to the customer’s home within 48 hours – all touchless. While customers have an option to drop off and/or pick up their clothes at the physical Mr Jeff location, the majority choose the convenience of the pickup and delivery service.

Throughout its international expansion, financial backers have repeatedly shown confidence in the scalability of the business. The latest example is a signed agreement with Clean Ventures, a venture capital fund that invests in growth-stage laundry companies. The fund is managed by industry leaders with more than 100 years of combined industry experience who have collectively built hundreds of laundromats across the United States, including Alex Weiss, founder and CEO of Clean Rite Centers, a laundry service superstore chain which has developed more than 200 locations across North America.

“Mr Jeff has proven to be a laundry franchise with an incomparable vision and an operation that has led it to consolidate internationally. After 25 years in this sector, their business model has still surprised us, and we want to bet on them for their entry into the U.S.,” Weiss said.

In addition to its safe pickup and delivery, customers are also drawn to Mr Jeff’s subscription service. For a reasonable monthly fee, they can schedule weekly laundry and ironing services. Franchise owners in international markets have noted the benefits as well, as the subscription service provides a recurring revenue platform.

Due to its contactless pickup, delivery model, and a commitment to disinfection best-practices, Mr Jeff flourished in 2020 while other laundry service providers were hard hit. Entrepreneurs opened 185 locations internationally from March 2020 through the end of the year.

Mr Jeff franchisees can also take advantage of a turnkey model, with everything they need to run their business starting from day one, as well as a comprehensive “Business in a Box,” with three proprietary technology products:

The Jeff App, for customers to schedule services from the palm of their hand.

The Jeff Suite, a unique management software designed to attend to the needs of the business and cater its growth with functions such as invoicing and P&L, in which entrepreneurs can make data driven decisions based on metrics like the number of orders, income, requested services, number of subscriptions and active users.

The Jeff Driver app, which is connected to Jeff Suite and Jeff App, to manage all the pickup and delivery timings and routes.

This gives employees and business owners an easy way to run everything from their synchronized and powerful business mobile-friendly apps.

The “Business in a Box” also includes an international brand and promotion materials, specialist training and support, industry know-how and innovative business plans that set every franchisee up for success on how to run this distinctive laundry business. Among these resources includes a marketing playbook, with tools that allow them to customize materials, tactics and campaigns for local markets; and access to Jeff Academy, an online learning platform with the most detailed and comprehensive aid immediately available to franchisees.

With its simple yet advanced operations, each location typically has up to five employees, including a driver.

“We’ve seen a trend of ‘covid-preneurs’ seeking to control their own destinies through entrepreneurship in other countries, but none more so than the United States,” said Eloi Gomez, co-founder and CEO. “We built Mr Jeff to democratize entrepreneurship and let anyone take control of their financial future through business ownership. With Mr Jeff’s introduction to U.S. entrepreneurs, we hope to provide an ideal opportunity for those ambitious individuals looking to leverage a simple business operation with a relevant, tech-based service that makes life easier for consumers.”

Source: https://www.franchising.com/news/20210414_mr_jeff_brings_transformational_techbased_laundry_franchise_to_us_market.html

RC Law Assisted Globalimar in a JV with athlete Vicent “Bo” Jackson

RC Law acted as U.S. counsel to Globalimar of Girona, Spain in its first entry into the U.S. market, in partnership with Jackson & Partners (J&P). J&P’s principal owner and CEO is Vincent “Bo” Jackson, a U.S. former professional baseball and football player who became the only professional athlete in history to be named an “All-Star” in both baseball and football.

J&P is an importer and processor of high-quality, sustainably sourced food products which expanded its “All-Star Signature Sideliners” products to include Globalimar’s “Aligator” brand of ready-to-eat seafood meals. Globalimar’s offers customers authentic, chef inspired recipes and is known for its expertise in frozen seafood manufacturing and commitment to using only certified quality seafood. Its “ready to eat” products are elaborated following a unique R&D process conducted by a foundation (i.e. Fundacion Alicia) to ensure the frozen products retain all their nutrition qualities.

As a result of this joint venture, Globalimar established a subsidiary in Miami, Florida, from where it initially covers the markets of New York, Chicago, Boston and Miami. RC Law advised Globalimar on all contract, commercial, regulatory and corporate aspects related to this joint venture.

Client’s Press Release:

Llagostera (Girona), 12 nov (EFE).- Una empresa con sede en Llagostera y especializada en la elaboración y comercialización de productos del mar congelados, Globalimar Europa, llevará ahora sus platos preparados a Estados Unidos tras llegar a un acuerdo con la compañía Jackson and Partners.

Esta firma la creó el exjugador profesional de béisbol y de fútbol americano Bo Jackson, primer deportista de la historia seleccionado para el partido de las estrellas de esas dos disciplinas.

Globalimar, que ya contaba con presencia en Florida, sigue adelante con su proyección internacional para dar cobertura a la costa este de Estados Unidos y la previsión es que la línea de productos, que exportará bajo el nombre “Ready to eat”, se encuentre dentro de dos meses en establecimientos de Nueva York, Chicago, Boston y Miami.

El director ejecutivo de la empresa, Jordi Martí, ha manifestado su satisfacción por el acuerdo, convencido de que estos platos preparados y congelados encajan “a la perfección con la sociedad americana”.

“Además, Jackson and Partners comparte los valores de Globalimar y del proyecto Ready to eat en favor de una alimentación de calidad, saludable y sostenible”, añade.

El proyecto empezó en 2018 en colaboración con el centro de investigación en cocina Fundación Alicia.

Sources:

La Vanguardia https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20201112/49416068076/una-empresa-de-girona-lleva-a-estados-unidos-sus-platos-congelados.html

Globalimar https://www.globalimar.com/eng/p/news/new/news/v/category/1/18.htm

 

RC Law Advised GRIT in the Acquisition of a Majority Interest in Summit Refrigerants

RC Law acted as U.S. buyer’s counsel in connection with the acquisition by Gases Research Innovation & Technology (GRIT), a Barcelona based company, of a majority interest in Summit Refrigerants LLC, a Texas based refrigerants gas company.  GRIT was supported by Moira Capital Partners, one of its principal investors.  PwC in Barcelona and Madrid acted as Spanish tax and corporate counsel and as US tax counsel.  Sellers were represented by Norton Rose Fulbright, out of its Houston office. The transaction was completed on March 7, 2021. 

Spanish company GRIT (Gases Research Innovation & Technology), specialized in refrigerant gases and with headquarters in Barcelona, has acquired an interest in the American company Summit Refrigerants strengthening its position in the refrigerant gas industry of the USA.

This international collaboration is looking forward to creating a new player with a highly technical orientation in the refrigerant industry in the USA. This joint venture will allow the entrance of GRIT’s technical expertise into the American market. The collaboration between the companies will enhance Summit’s current processes.  Immediate plans include significant enhancements to Summit’s current facilities in Houston, allowing it to provide additional services as the US continues its move towards more environmentally sustainable policies. With this collaboration, GRIT will grow exponentially in the USA, allowing it to better serve its current customers there. The joint business plan is designed to more than double Summit’s 2020 volume in the short term.

GRIT started its activity in the USA in 2016, raising its awareness about the US market potential. In 2018, with the financial support of Moira Capital Partners, GRIT gained the momentum to proceed with a geographical expansion.  The search for the right partner began in earnest with the support of Fredericks Michael & Co. This search resulted in the joint venture with Summit Refrigerants, a company with ample experience and a strong track record of success in the US refrigerant market. With headquarters in Houston, and locations in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Summit Refrigerants stands out for its quality products and service.  The two companies’ respective strengths will play well together.

“The strong business and personal relationships developed between the two companies and their principals predicts a promising future for the collaboration in the US refrigerants market”, asserts Mr. Jose Luis Müller, CEO of GRIT.

“Sharing the same vision and principles has been essential for reaching a common objective” explains Mr. Javier Gutierrez, Business Development Manager of GRIT, who will be in charge of initiating the US business plan.


About GRIT (www.gasesgrit.com)

GRIT was founded in 2001 by Ramon Terrado, current President of GRIT, and specializes in the distribution, storage and development of liquefied gases and their mixtures for industrial applications.

GRIT is focused on developing products and services compliant with the increasingly stringent environmental regulations.  


About Summit Refrigerants (www.summitrfgs.com)

Summit Refrigerants was founded in 2008 by Steve Trevino and Jeff Carver, managers of the company who will continue in their current roles. Summit is an US EPA-Certified refrigerant reclaimer, dedicated to providing quality products, in-house refrigerant services, and on-site field services.  The company prides itself on providing unmatched customer service.


About Moira Capital Partners (www.moiracapitalpartners.com)

Moira Capital is the first Capital Equity specialized in direct investments in innovation Spanish companies, looking forward to getting a high return for private and institutional investors.

During last 3 years. Moira Capital has invested more than 120 million € for the support of high potential projects within 8 Spanish companies.

For more information on this transaction, please see: https://gasesgrit.com/en/grit-acquires-interest-in-american-company-summit-refrigerants-and-strengthens-its-position-in-the-usa

RC Law Advised Cantabria Labs in a U.S. JV with Sofia Vergara

Actress, model and businesswoman Sofía Vergara is partnering with Cantabria Labs, the Spanish healthcare company leader in dermatological recommendation in Spain, Italy and Portugal, to develop, produce and market a new range of beauty products. The line will be launched shortly and managed by Chris Salgardo, Chief Executive Officer of the joint venture set up by Cantabria Labs and Sofía Vergara to develop the project.

In addition to her successful career as an actress, Sofía Vergara is known as a global entrepreneur and businesswoman, which is why she was keen to reach out with this project to the Spanish laboratory, of which she was already a fan and loyal customer. Cantabria Labs knew the actress admired its scientifically endorsed cosmetics, so the relationship evolved in an easy, natural way.

In October 2019, Sofia Vergara visited the company’s new research and production facilities in the Spanish region of Cantabria, recently awarded for the eco-sustainability and innovation of the buildings that develop and produce its cosmetic products and medicines. The idea for the soon-to-be-launched project first took hold then!

“The relationship between Cantabria Labs and Sofia Vergara dates back some time and mutual understanding and admiration has always been our common starting point. It was a question of time before this project came about. We are very pleased with the launching of this partnership that merges science, experience and effective products with the knowledge, and expertise of Sofía Vergara,” said company president Juan Matji.

“We have been planning the steps for the launch of this new line that we are very proud of for some time, and are sure it will become a benchmark in cosmetic care. The products are being formulated and designed to pivot to the new health and beauty trends, with science and the endorsement of their ingredients as the core differential values,” said the Colombian actress.

Former L’Oréal executive Chris Salgardo was chosen to spearhead the project due to his 30-plus years’ experience in developing cosmetic brands.

“I’ve been a huge admirer of Sofia’s career and achievements for some time and am honoured to undertake this new endeavour with her. Together with the science from Cantabria Labs, we’ll be bringing a new dimension to the world beauty dynamic”.

Although Cantabria Labs was already successfully operating in the US market with the support and recognition of the American dermatological community for its HELIOCARE ORAL, the launch of this new skincare line, planned for the end of the year, will represent an important quantitative and qualitative leap in the development, production, and export of the Spanish pharma firm’s cosmeceutical products. The company’s mission is to help improve people’s health and quality of life in order to enable them to enjoy and “#celebratelife”.

Source:

https://www.cantabrialabs.com/en/communication/sofia-vergara-is-preparing-the-launch-of-her-own-beauty-line-with-cantabria-labs/

and

https://www.elmundo.es/loc/celebrities/2021/02/19/602e311821efa0426e8b45ef.html

RC Law Advised CECOP Acquiring The Alliance Buying Group

Monmouth, Illinois, January 6, 2020—CECOP announced today that it has acquired The Alliance Buying Group (“ABG”), achieving an important milestone in the company’s growth strategy in the US market: its second acquisition. CECOP now serves more than 2,000 independent optical stores and optometry practices with great deals and profit optimizing services.

The acquisition is part of CECOP’s aggressive strategy to acquire significant market share in North America and demonstrate its commitment to the US market. In March 2020, CECOP acquired New York based Combine Buying Group and has grown that business by 40% in just 9 months.  To accomplish these accelerated results, CECOP has leveraged proven strategies for success gleaned from nearly 25 years of growth in the independent optical market globally, plus market insights locally, delivering unmatched value to members and partner suppliers across the US.

Founded in 1996 as an alliance to help independent opticians compete with larger, corporate providers and retailers, CECOP has evolved into a global association delivering collective buying power, operational best practices, strategic solutions and other services to 5,000 independent opticians and optometrists and more than 120 brand partners across Europe and Latin America. CECOP helps members most effectively manage their businesses and grow customer loyalty; it also helps partner manufacturers in the optical space reach, build brand awareness, and grow business with an active group of buyers.

“CECOP will work hard to prove our value to The Alliance Buying Group members,” said CECOP Founder and CEO Jorge Rubio. “With our quick success operating Combine Buying Group, we’ve validated that our business model delivers meaningful impact for opticians and optometrists in the US. We are committed to continue bringing the advancements we’ve developed in the European and Latin American markets to our new North American customers and know that they’ll benefit significantly from the solutions we have planned. Our goal is to be a true partner to eye care entrepreneurs, earning their trust by helping them achieve their dreams.”

“This is a big win for Alliance Buying Group members and vendors. I can assure you that the transition to new ownership will be smooth, with uninterrupted operations,” said Craig Hethcox, Vice President,  Surgery Partners, parent company of ABG. “CECOP will provide members a steady stream of deals and services to improve profitability, plus innovative new programs already proven in the US market, which is really exciting.  And with CECOP’s growing portfolio of independent optical and optometrist retailers, the brands and vendors that have worked with ABG can look forward to marketing opportunities with a highly engaged audience.”

Driving CECOP’s success internationally and domestically has been its ability to collaborate with local partners who can add to the value proposition of independent optometrists—particularly in these challenging conditions. “We are continually growing the network of manufacturers and brands that cater to members across the US,” said Ignacio Macias, CEO, CECOP North America. “We know that independent optometrists across North America will find in our community a fundamental place of collaboration to successfully overcome market challenges and provide great value to patients. We are excited about the Alliance Buying Group Acquisition and look forward to additional acquisitions expected in 2021.”

ABOUT CECOP

CECOP is the leading global association of independent opticians and optometrists, delivering collective buying power, operational best practices, strategic solutions and other services to 5,000 members and more than 120 brand partners across Europe and Latin America. CECOP is expanding globally, with operations in Spain, Portugal, Italy, England, Ireland, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and the United States.

Founded in 1996 by the visionary Jorge Rubio, CECOP has stood apart for its real and revolutionary commitment to the needs of professionals in the independent and entrepreneurial sector of the optical market.  At the heart of the firm’s DNA and powering its success are CECOP’s core values: collaboration, excellence, flexibility, commitment, innovation and ethics.

CECOP is committed to driving the transformation and profitability of a global community of independent optometrists through proven, best-in-class business practices, strategic expertise, operational management, training, and scaled purchasing power with premier suppliers.

Source: https://www.cecopusa.com/global-independent-optical-association-cecop-continues-to-grow-north-american-market-share-acquiring-the-alliance-buying-group/

RC Law Advised Tuboplast in the Sale of its North Carolina Subsidiary to KCE

RC Law advises Corporacion Juan Celaya (“CJC”) in connection with the sale of its U.S. manufacturing subsidiary (CTL Packaging USA Inc.), located in North Carolina, to Kaizaharra Corporacion Empresarial (KCE), a private equity group based in Bilbao, Spain.  KCE had previously acquired the European operations of CJC and was successful in completing the acquisition of the U.S. operations following the attempts of two other bidders.  The transaction was structured as a stock deal.  Counsel to the buyer was Cooley Godward.  Womble Bond Dickinson was counsel to a previous bidder. 

Press Releases:

La Vanguardia: KCE adquiere CTL-TH Packaging (Tuboplast) de Vitoria

Expansión: López Gandásegui se hace con el control de la alavesa Tuboplast

RC Law Advised CECOP in the Acquisition of U.S. Based Combine Buying Group

NEW YORK—CECOP, the global independent optical association, announced today that it has acquired Combine Buying Group , marking its entry into the North American market and increasing its global membership of opticians and optometrists by more than 10 percent. The acquisition, executives told VMAIL, is the first step in the firm’s aggressive strategy to acquire significant market share in North America and demonstrate its commitment to the U.S. market. CECOP plans to leverage proven strategies for success gleaned from nearly 25 years of growth in the independent optical market internationally along with market insights locally, to deliver unmatched value to members and partner suppliers across the U.S., they said.

Founded in 1996 as an alliance to help independent opticians compete with larger, corporate providers and retailers, CECOP has evolved into a global association delivering collective buying power, operational best practices, strategic solutions and other services to 4,500 independent opticians and optometrists and more than 120 brand partners across Europe and Latin America. CECOP helps members effectively manage their businesses and grow customer loyalty; it also helps partner manufacturers in the optical space reach, build brand awareness and grow business with an active group of buyers, the announcement said.

“CECOP will work hard to earn the trust and loyalty of CBG members in the U.S.,” said CECOP founder and CEO Jorge Rubio. “We are excited to bring the advancements we’ve developed in European and Latin American markets to our new North American customers and know that they’ll benefit significantly from the solutions we have planned. Our goal is to be a true partner to optometrist entrepreneurs, to be by their side, helping them achieve their dreams.”

“I’m happy that our members will have the opportunity to benefit from the experience CECOP brings to the table and its focus on the optical buying group space,” said Glenn Spina, CEO of Combine Buying Group’s parent company, Emerging Vision Inc. “Independent optical retailers can be assured of a seamless transition to new ownership and continuity of operations. CECOP will be introducing a lot of innovative programs in this U.S. market, which will be extremely beneficial to every member of Combine Buying Group.”

Driving CECOP’s international success has been its ability to collaborate with local partners who can add value to independent optometrists—particularly in these challenging conditions. This strategy will continue to drive CECOP’s success in the North American market. “We look forward to growing the network of U.S. manufacturers and brands that are eager to share unique offerings with our members,” said Ignacio Macias, CEO, CECOP North America. “And we are convinced that independent optometrists across North America will find in our community a fundamental place of collaboration to successfully overcome market challenges and provide great value to patients.”

CECOP, founded in 1996 by Rubio, has operations in Spain, Portugal, Italy, England, Ireland, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and the U.S.

Source : https://www.visionmonday.com