Today we recieved a letter dated July 30th to suppliers announcing the acquisition of Johnn Froeschels Lyra-Bleistift-Fabrik GmbH & Co. by the Italian writing instruments group FILA Group. No specifics as to timing of the close were provided, however a follow-up conversation with FILA indicated the close occurred on July 27, 2008.

Here are excerpts of key relevant facts:

"In the future we will have a strong partner by our side: the Italian FILA-group. FILA will take over the holdings of LYRA completely. Similar to LYRA, FILA is a traditionally family-owned company and for almost 90 years the leading writing instruments and art supplier in Italy. Among others the leading American company Dixon Ticonderoga as well as the French company Omyacolor belong to the FILA-group.

Lyra will conduct busines as usual: henc there will be no significant changes in our already proven processes, structures and management board.

Due to the merger LYRA will become part of an international group in teh field of writing instruments. In different countries we will integrate FILA-products in our portfolio. Additionally we will distribute some selected FILA-products as LYRA-branded"

For WoodChucks analysis on this transaction see this new post on his Timberlines Blog.