ACM Sells 44% Minority Stake in Leica Camera AG

<p><a href="http://www.reddotforum.com/content.php/180-ACM-Sells-44-Minority-Stake-in-Leica-Camera-AG?s=f2af0c7f06f26c090bd92eed9c12e424">Interesting Leica business news.</a></p>

<p>That is interesting Bob.<br>

In marketing, R&D and manufacturing, let's all hope the new player holds up and always votes for the "<strong>Quality First</strong>" tradition.</p>

<p>It could become a big problem! Profit, more profit and greater profit. Quality, workmanship, cost of labor, skills could all be dumped as the new company takes place. Leica will have to have major leaps forward. Auto-focus a possible. Forget about metal and good glass. Already Leica has problems finding good glass with EU restrictions..<br>

44% is more than a foot in the door. It's the elephant in the tent.<br>

Pentax in same problem or actually far worse.. with Ricoh keeping the good part of factory and setting the camera division adrift.<br>

Leica would have been better served linking with Pentax...but events unfolded in a different timing.</p>

<p>"to grow international market share"...doesn't make a lot of sense to me since Leica already has a global reputation. Keeping up with production demands is its real challenge. I wish them good luck.</p>