Fernando Silva has been named the new North American Vice President. He has served as President of Marca Eyewear for the past twenty years, based in Toronto, acting as the master agent for Marcolin brands, Alain Mikli, Moncler and other high end collections. Fernando Silva has an extensive experience in the eyewear industry with a focus on luxury and fashion brands.

Kering Eyewear is part of the Kering Group, a world leader in apparel and accessories which develops an ensemble of powerful brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen and Puma.

Citing confidential and informed sources, Bloomberg reports that lens giants HOYA and Essilor are sizing up German lens manufacturer Rodenstock GmbH, although no formal sales process is underway.

The company may fetch as much as $557 Million, according to the report. Bridgeport, the firm that acquired Rodenstock in 2006, hired Goldman Sachs to look at strategic options earlier this year. None of the parties provided comment to the reports.

Source:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-11/essilor-hoya-said-to-mull-bids-for-german-lens-maker-rodenstock

On Monday, April 27, the Cégep Garneau Foundation and the Department of Visual Orthosis Techniques hosted the 2015 Recognition Gala. “This is the second year that the Foundation and the Department have offered a unique awards ceremony,” explains Darquise Tardif, professor and scholarship partner with colleague Véronique Guay. Six thousand dollars in scholarships were awarded to recipients who distinguished themselves by their perseverance, academic excellence and good management skills.

Other partners also contributed financially to recognize the career paths of these future opticians: Guylaine Michaud, optician, Essilor, Lasik MD, Gestion Opto-Réseau, New Look Eyewear and the Order of Dispensing Opticians of Quebec.

Luxottica Wholesale North America aims to perfect its commercial structure by creating two dedicated teams, one focused on the Optical market and the other on the Premium Sun market.

Ludo Ladreyt has been appointed to the newly-created role of Senior Vice President, Sales for the N.A. Optical Channel. Ludo most recently served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Canada.

All optical customers will now be served under one dedicated and customer-centric sales structure. Reporting to Ludo will be Alessandro Baronti and Nicola Perini (US Independents), Alessandro Lucanto (Key Accounts), Jennifer Brown (Business Development) and the Canadian Independent and Key Account channels.

Leading the further development of the Premium Sun category in N.A., Peter Guthy, will continue as Vice President of Sales for Department Stores.

“This new structure is a natural evolution of our business growth and we believe it will enable us to achieve our long range vision, while improving our service to the market,” said Holly Rush, President of Luxottica Wholesale N.A.