Blog

May 17, 2017April 24, 2018

ZEISS Half-Year Report: Growth in Revenue and Earnings

ZEISS is celebrating the first 6 months of their fiscal year as they saw revenues rise by 10% to €2.55 billion and earnings before interest and after tax rose to €384 million, an improvement on last year’s €280 million.

“ZEISS is benefiting once again from its solid and future-oriented portfolio, and recorded growth across all segments over the same period of the prior year,” says Prof. Dr. Michael Kaschke, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG. “Our growth substantiates our aspiration to be a technological leader in optics and optoelectronics.”

All segments of ZEISS’s portfolio (Research & Quality Technology, Medical Technology, Vision Care/Consumer Products, Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology) all reported increased revenue compared to the first half of 2015/2016. The largest change was in semiconductor manufacturing, which saw a +29% increase.

ZEISS group reports that it now employs 26,200 people as of March 31, 2017. 21,200 are employees of ZEISS and a further 5,000 in their eyeglass production process, known as Vision Global Operations.

ZEISS increased investments in research and development by 20% in the first half of 2016/2017, and is planning a “quadruple figure headcount increase” by 2020.

Click HERE for full press release.

May 16, 2017April 24, 2018

Essilor Shareholders Approve Merger Between Essilor and Luxottica

Essilor International’s Special Meeting and Combined General Meeting were held May 11th at the Maison de la Mutualité in Paris, chaired by Hubert Sagnières, the Group’s Chairman and CEO, with Leonardo Del Vecchio, Executive Chairman of Luxottica, also in attendance.

Essilor’s shareholders approved all the resolutions proposed to the two meetings, including those concerning the planned combination between Essilor and Luxottica.

The makeup of the future EssilorLuxottica Board of Directors, the contribution by Delfin (the hold company that owns 62% of Luxottica’s shares) and the new corporate name EssilorLuxottica were all approved.

Hubert Sagnières, Chairman and CEO of Essilor, commented: “I am delighted with the outstanding support of Essilor shareholders for the planned combination between Essilor and Luxottica, which has just taken a decisive step forward. With a presence across all segments of the optics industry, the new group will provide concrete and innovative solutions to the challenge of improving the world’s eyesight.”

The proportion of women within the Board has now reached 42.9% and it includes six nationalities (German, US, Canadian, Chinese, French and Singaporean).

Read the complete press release HERE.

May 15, 2017April 24, 2018

Red Dot and iF Award Winners for Dynamics Colorwave

Silhouette has once again been awarded a Red Dot award for “Outstanding Product Design 2017.” This time, for the superior Dynamics Colorwave collection. Furthermore, the Dynamics Colorwave collection has also received an iF Design Award this year for high-quality product design.

The internationally established iF World Design Guide and Red Dot organization have been honoring the best designs over multiple categories and countries for more than 60 years, and Silhouette is proud to be among them.

It’s no surprise that the Dynamics Colorwave collection was recognized as one of the top products in eyewear.

Selected against thousands of products worldwide by a panel of experts, the collection took a leading role.

The Dynamics Colorwave is created for maximum comfort and versatility. It’s screwless hinge and seemless, flexible temples are easily adjustable. High quality, innovation and simplicity are all signatures of the collection. Available in a range of vivid and daring colour combinations, as well as various lens shapes, it’s perfect for any personality.

Distributed in Canada by COS.

May 12, 2017May 20, 2026

Cody is Sporty and Stylish

Cody from the AYA collection is a great option for sports and medium to slightly larger sized faces. This lightweight unisex shield has shatterproof polycarbonate lenses which are up to ten times more impact-resistant than plastic or glass lenses, and provide 100% protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays. The striking Sun and Moon design by Corrine Hunt varies across the temples and is featured on either a sleek black frame or a sharp white frame. Impact and scratch resistant acrylic lenses – UV400.

Distributed by Claudia Alan: www.claudiaalan.com

May 12, 2017April 24, 2018

Ivo Benvegnù New Chief Operations Officer at Blackfin

Agordo – Pramaor, the company specialising in the manufacture of top-of-the-range titanium eyewear under the brand name Blackfin, announces that Ivo Benvegnù has been appointed Chief Operations Officer, reporting directly to CEO Nicola Del Din.

“Our exponential growth of the last few years has made necessary a major reorganisation of our production processes which all take place entirely in-house” – says Nicola Del Din – “We are delighted to welcome Ivo to our team. His long experience and distinguished career in the eyewear industry will be a crucial factor for the growth of our production department, enabling us to cope more effectively and more efficiently with our amazing increase in sales. What’s more, this decision is proof of our resolve to take our corporate culture to the next level, which we at Blackfin call Phase Three. I would like to thank Corrado Rosson, our Head of Design, who from 2014 has performed the dual role of both Product and Production Manager”.

“I’m overjoyed to bring my experience to Pramaor, this young dynamic company” – asserts Ivo Benvegnù – “I’ve taken the time to meet and get to know all the staff members who have impressed me with their passion for their job and respect for the company. The job of organising operations is a vital one and I’m sure that with such a team we will be able to achieve our goals, guaranteeing the company even greater growth.”

“Ivo’s arrival is an enormous help, above all providing a marvellous opportunity for Blackfin to grow and consolidate the results we have delivered thus far. Now I can devote myself full-time to product design and development.” – adds Corrado Rosson.

Backed by his many years of experience in leading multinational eyewear companies, playing a management role in both production and research and development, it will be Ivo Benvegnù’s job to organise the Blackfin Operations Division, making an important contribution to meeting the turnover target, expected to exceed 10 million euro by the end of 2017.

Click HERE for the press release.