Last I heard the deal has made it through the anti trust stage.

Nuts and Bolts of the purchase, published 9/7

http://ccbn.10kwizard.com/xml/download.php?repo=tenk&ipage=5159903&format=PDF

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Scott Bowers (VP of Marketing Worldwide) sold TODAY $157,000 worth of stock @ $28.93 which is a little wierd since the merger/puchase is at $29.30. I guess read between the lines......

http://ccbn.10kwizard.com/xml/download.php?repo=tenk&ipage=5170309&format=PDF

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Luxottica was granted early termination of the anti-trust waiting period on August 24, 2007 (basically got the go ahead from the govt to buy)

http://www.rttnews.com/sp/breakingnews.asp?date=08/24/2007&item=71

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So what are you "reading between the lines"?

Well let's see, they own LensCrafters. And just about every company the produce sunglasses for they also make opthalmic frames - from R**B** to Versace to Brooks Brothers and so on...

Thanks Phil.
So they make opthalmic frames, but do you know if they also produce prescription sunglass lenses? That would put my mind at ease a bit. Have been really worried that they would close the Rx departement!

The Milan, Italy-based Luxottica further noted that certain closing conditions mentioned in the agreement, such as antitrust and competition law clearances outside the U.S and approval by Oakley shareholders, are not satisfied yet.

So there is still a small change the deal won't go through?

If the US has approved it chances are all the others will fallow suit shortly.

hate to bring this thread back around but all Oakley shareholders approved the merger with Luxottica, it is that much closer to a reality now.

Thanks for the update. I know that was another stepping stone towards completeing the merger and I'm glad that you have filled us in on it...even though it may spell bad news.

I'd rather not think about this...

What's the matter, doesn't a Christian Dior X-Metal get your blood pumpin'? LOL

What about Oakley Rx Frames for sale at Wal-Mart...

The really sad part is, these kind of possiblilities probably excite the shareholders. Mo Money, Mo Money!!!

I pose these questions: If Lux decides to move Oakley RX into Wal Mart locations for example, does that automatically equate to lower quality and lessor of a product than we are spoiled with now? Or, does that equate to a much broader distribution line and therefore reduce end user prices? Or finally, does it just equate to equal quality, equal pricing, and more $$$ for lux? They are all valid questions with different perspectives on a serious topic here.

I can only speak for myself, and this is what I think of any collaboration between Oakley and Wal-mart:

HAHA!!! That is funny...

There are so many ways to answer those questions Josh. On one hand the price should drop since mass-distribution and the fact that Wal-Mart is a low-cost provider of goods and patrons will not be willing to fork over the current retail. On the other hand, if they drop the prices, this will most likely drop the quality since margins will be thin. A way to avoid this would be to brand the Oakley Rx frames with a new name but as the same designs but only cheaper and of lesser quality.

There are about 10000 more things that could happen though.

I highly doubt Oakley Rx will be for sale at WalMart due to the fact that that move will cause the prestige image of the Oakley brand to drop, and thus the goodwill that Lux paid for will drop as well.

How about if they move them to Target stores which are generally a better store with better quality goods? May happen as Targets begin to expand into more of Wal Mart's territory...I agree on the quality aspect. If they go that route, they may be cheap Chinese make instead of quality controlled USA made products. It's not to say all Chinese products are cheap or low quality, but to cut costs has a cost somewhere, especially when you have to import your own product. Hard to say, but again, rather than get all worked over it and open all these cans of worms, we can sit back and wait to see...

Those are excellent insights Justin and Josh. I would think that the business minds at Lux must know a good thing and wouldn't want to tarnish the prestige of the Oakley brand that they paid 2.1 billion for. I'm a total Wal-Mart hater, I can't even stomach the parking lot of that Godforsaken hell hole! Target ain't much better in my mind. I'm such a snob.

at least targets are usually clean HAHA....It's the new American way...Sell out at whatever cost(s) you can. I hope now, we have to sell at higher prices with the deflated dollar! Just a total lack of pride in the country.

I for one am hoping we have nothing to worry about. Ford owns Jaguar, Volvo and Land Rover and those brands didn't lose any of the prestige or quality they're known for.

If/when I see the quality or level of design drop then I'll start worrying. Until then I try not to worry about things I have no control over.

The difference is Ford is selling off some of those brands to focus on Ford (haha Focus on Ford) something I wish Oakley would still be doing.
Wal-mart shoppers are flies...I think you know why

that's a BOLD statement there. probably a better analagy would have been "VW/Audi owns Lambo, and there hasn't been a decrease in quality". With the original, there has been a decrease along the line in several places. There are vehicles with the Land Rover name on the top of Ford Chassis and drivetrain. Not quite the solid British Quality we've come to expect, don't you think? Same with Jaguar. Now if you are talkin' high end, then yeah, I can understand that thinking

here is info from wikipedia
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The second generation Freelander is based on the Ford EUCD platform, which itself is based on the Ford C1 platform. The EUCD platform is also used by the new Ford Galaxy, Ford S-MAX and Volvo S80, and will be used by more upcoming vehicles from Ford and Volvo. The engine range is all-new for Freelander, featuring transversely-mounted 3.2 I6 engine of the Volvo SI6 series, which first debuted in the new Volvo S80, as well as the 2.2 DW12 common rail turbodiesel engine, co-developed by Ford and PSA.

2006
The Range Rover's exterior was updated for 2006 along with the BMW V8 replaced with a Ford unit. The new engine choices were Jaguar's AJ-V8, with 4.4 L 300 hp (227 kW) or 4.2 L 400 hp (298 kW) supercharged variants. This new Range Rover was officially presented at the 2005 North American International Auto Show and released in summer 2005.

2007
The 3-litre BMW 6-cylinder diesel engine was replaced for 2007 with Ford's new 3.6 L AJD-V8. This engine boasts 272 hp (203 kW), far more than the 177 hp (132 kW) of the previous engine

I weep for the future....

I'm reading your mail Brian. We don't know what the future holds so looking at the hypothetical downside is futile. It will be interesting to see if things start to happen that don't seem "Oakley" and whether or not we recognize it right off the bat. From all accounts, Oakley will be left to conduct itself as usual, but it irks me to think those "lesser" brands will benefit by way of shared technology. Last thing I need is for some poser in a pair of Chanels to rock up to me and start in about his glasses are the same as mine. I pray that never happens!

GOD (or whoever) FORBID!!!! I couldn't imagine that happening. "My Channels are Ansi standard approved and so if I ever accidentally stick myself with a make up brush while driving and talking onmy cell, my eyes will be safe". I could just see that with the image idiots in LA (the Paris Hiltons, Lindsay Lohans, and all the dumb chicks). Horrible thought

Looks like Oakley (OO) quit trading trading today. Guess everything's official