Actualités

The investment bank Largillière is assisting the Opticia group, a major player in the sale of eyeglasses and optical products in Guadeloupe, in the transfer to its management, the brothers Benjamin and Mathieu Austernaud.
Largillière Finance was chosen for its technical expertise in carrying out similar MBO transactions and its specific expertise in the French overseas territories. The investment bank specializing in Small and Mid Cap thus signs its second transaction of the year in the zone and demonstrates its willingness to implement its action (aiming at creating more and more opportunities for entrepreneurs) in a sustainable way in the ultra-marine markets.

The work of Largillière Finance's experts consisted in structuring the whole operation between Mathieu and Benjamin Austernaud (the latter having been in the group for more than 10 years) and Azouz Aga, the seller and historical founder of Opticia. The two managers, newly appointed, wish to continue the development of Opticia.

One of the major challenges for Largillière Finance was to obtain the financing of the operation given the reluctance of banks for the optical sector, a particularly competitive market in Guadeloupe.

Largillière Finance's local expertise also proved crucial on the more technical aspects, as the brand is made up of 5 stores owned by three separate companies. Finally, the ultra-marine clients benefited from all the confidentiality offered by the support of an external advisor and especially off-site.

About Opticia 

Created more than 25 years ago, Opticia is one of the main brands in Guadeloupe for the sale of glasses and optical products. The company has six of its own sales outlets, ideally located in busy areas, in order to ensure a network of the entire territory. It is distinguished by services adapted to the specificities of the local market: marketing, services of a mobile optician at home, commercial offers and products.

List of Speakers

Azouz Aga, President and founder of Opticia Group:

"I am proud to hand over my group to Benjamin and Mathieu Austernaud who have been with me for several years. As natural buyers of Opticia, they are also the guarantors of its development and of the sustainability of its activities. A big thank you to Largillière Finance and its teams who made this beautiful operation possible. We chose Largillière Finance in particular for its expertise in overseas operations, with the assurance that its experts would ensure that we were offered the best prospects."

Benjamin and Mathieu Austernaud, buyers:

"We are very excited to take over Opticia and to continue the developments initiated by Azouz Aga. The intervention of Largillière Finance was decisive for the success of this operation. The team piloted all the steps of the operation from A to Z, advising us on the best options at each stage."

Shamir Razavhoussen, Associate Director of Largillière Finance:

"We are very pleased with the confidence shown by the management of Opticia, one of the leading optical chains in Guadeloupe, in entrusting us with the management of its transfer operation. This new successful transaction confirms Largillière Finance's expertise in the French overseas territories and our strong desire to support the shareholder managers of SMEs and ETIs in the French overseas territories in their quest for new prospects in their market."