The vertical integration process of the Bulgari Group continues to reinforce the watchmaking expertise in Neuchâtel

The Bulgari Group has acquired 100% of Finger, a Swiss company specialized in the creation and production of sophisticated cases for complicated and high-end watches of the most prestigious international watchmaking brands.

Based in Lengnau, Finger was founded in 1889 and currently has 17 employees.
Following the acquisition, the current Finger’s management team will stay in place and will report to the Bulgari Watch Business Unit in Neuchâtel.

This operation will further reinforce Bulgari’s expertise in the watchmaking sector and is part of a vertical integration strategy in the watch business, started in 2000 with the acquisition of 100% of Gérald Genta S.A., Daniel Roth S.A. and Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie S.A., the owner of the related manufacturing facilities.
The process continued in 2005 with the acquisition of a 50% stake of Cadrans Design S.A., and of a 51% stake of Prestige d’Or S.A., two Swiss companies specialised in high-end dials and metal bracelets respectively.
At the beginning of November 2007, the Bulgari Group also purchased from the Swiss company Leschot S.A. tangible assets (machineries) and intellectual properties for the production of watch components. The agreement also implied the hiring of about 20 people (watchmakers and employees specialised in manufacturing and technical development) within the Watch Business unit in Neuchâtel by the end of November. This operation will support the internal development of a new mouvement de manufacture.

The Bulgari Group will continue to invest in the upstream vertical integration also in the future, capitalizing on these operations to significantly strengthen the internal production of watch components.

Bulgari is one of the global players on the luxury market. In 2006 the Group posted a turnover of 1,010.4 million Euro. With a market capitalization of about 2.9 billion Euro (as of 05.12.2007), Bulgari relies on a stores network in the most exclusive shopping areas in the world and on selected distributors.
Bulgari has a product portfolio that ranges from jewels and watches to accessories and perfumes. The Group is controlled by the Bulgari family, holding about 52.0% of the share capital. The remaining 48.0% is floating on the Milan Stock Exchange.

Source: Bulgari
www.bulgari.com