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March 5, 2015April 24, 2018

Appointments Made At the Top of the ZEISS Technical Ladder

Dr. Michael Kempe and Dr. Michael Totzeck have been designated as Fellows, the highest level of the ZEISS technical ladder. They both work at Corporate Research & Technology. Kempe is Head of the Technology area. Totzeck is Head of Industrial and Consumer Innovations. President and CEO of ZEISS Dr. Michael Kaschke congratulated them both on their designation and thanked them for their excellent work to date.

Kempe, who obtained his doctorate in Physics, has been working at ZEISS since 1999. He has been designated Fellow on the basis of his in-depth scientific knowledge in the area of microscope development and biomedical optics. Kaschke comments: “Michael Kempe is one of the key players in shaping high resolution microscopy at ZEISS. Because of his expertise in laser physics and biomedical optics, he is also a highly-respected member of the scientific community.”

Totzeck, who also got his doctorate in the field of Physics, started his career at ZEISS in 2002. He has been designated Fellow primarily due to his expertise in imaging, lithography, and optical metrology. “Michael Totzeck has been instrumental in driving the networking of ZEISS with the scientific community. Therefore, he plays a significant role in ensuring that ZEISS can assert its position as a technology leader,” Kaschke emphasizes.

There are now three Fellows at ZEISS in total. Winfried Kaiser, Head of Product Strategy in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology business group, was appointed to the highest level of the technical ladder in 2007.

The ZEISS Technical Ladder

ZEISS introduced the technical ladder in 2005 to give employees in research and development departments a career path of equivalent status to the “traditional” management route. The technical ladder enables experts to further their development on a continuous basis and is therefore a key component in boosting innovativeness at ZEISS.

The ZEISS technical ladder corresponds to international standards. Companies such as IBM, Infineon and Intel also use this type of technical ladder with the same levels (Senior, Staff, Principal, Senior Principal and Fellow). Designation to one of the five levels is based on a range of criteria, such as technical knowledge, idea leadership and influence of scientific achievements on company success. About 500 ZEISS employees work in the technical ladder at present.

For the original press release visit : http://www.zeiss.com/corporate/en_de/media-forum/press-releases.html?id=91FE47475FA78C56C1257DF8003D4447

Appointed to the highest level of the ZEISS technical ladder: Dr. Michael Totzeck (left) and Dr. Michael Kempe are now Fellows.

March 5, 2015April 24, 2018

SAFILO AND GIVENCHY ANNOUNCE THEIR NEW LICENSING AGREEMENT

Safilo Group, the fully integrated Italian eyewear creator and worldwide distributor, and Givenchy, the prestigious worldwide luxury brand have announced their licensing agreement for the Givenchy eyewear collections of sunglasses and optical frames. The licensing contract will run from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2021, renewable upon mutual agreement.

“We are proud of this new partnership and the trust placed in us. Givenchy’s distinct and modern creativity has the potential to inspire unique eyewear creations of high quality and distinctiveness”, said Luisa Delgado, CEO of Safilo Group. “Givenchy brings significant value to our portfolio, adding to our high-end premium segment a brand of unique character and significant size. It offers very interesting worldwide growth potential, including significant whitespace, that we will build up over time in a quality way, leveraging our new global commercial leadership capability.”

“Eyewear is a fast growing category for Givenchy. We are delighted to count on Safilo as our strategic eyewear partner, who offers unique end-to-end integrated best-in-class capabilities, high quality products and worldwide distribution with a brand driven long term view”, commented Philippe Fortunato, CEO of Givenchy. “We feel that we share a common vision for our brand, founded on the common values of excellence of product, design, craftsmanship, distribution, and results delivery.”

Safilo Group is the fully integrated Italian eyewear creator and worldwide distributor of quality and trust, leader in the premium sector for sunglasses, optical frames and sports eyewear. Internationally present through 30 owned subsidiaries and exclusive distributors in key markets – in North and Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific and China – Safilo is committed to quality distribution in over 130 countries around the world. Safilo’s portfolio encompasses proprietary brands – Carrera, Polaroid, Smith Optics, Safilo and Oxydo – and licensed brands Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Banana Republic, Bobbi Brown, BOSS, BOSS Orange, Bottega Veneta, Céline, Fossil, HUGO, J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez, Jack Spade, Jimmy Choo, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Liz Claiborne, Marc Jacobs, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Max&Co., Pierre Cardin, Saint Laurent, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tommy Hilfiger.

Givenchy, founded in 1952 by Hubert de Givenchy, is an international luxury house known for its Haute Couture, ready-to-wear and accessories’ collections for men and women.

www.safilo.com

March 4, 2015April 24, 2018

Telescopic contact lenses may offer improved vision for AMD

Swiss researchers have developed a prototype telescopic contact lens that could improve vision for those suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Thin aluminum mirrors and polarized films within a rigid scleral contact lens offer the wearer a magnification of 2.8 times, about the same as low-powered binoculars.

To make the lens breathable many microscopic channels within the lens allow oxygen to reach the cornea.

The magnification can be turned on or off by winking, which sends a signal to a pair of “smart” glasses that can change their polarization.

The U.S. Department of Defence-funded project, headed by Eric Tremblay of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and Joe Ford of UC San Diego, was originally developed to improve the vision of soldiers on the battlefield, but could also restore the ability to see fine details for people with low vision.

For further information: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150213145049.htm

March 3, 2015April 24, 2018

Major changes at Mykita

All of Mykita’s partners, with the exception of co-founder Moritz Krueger, have withdrawn their participation in the company. Bernd Beets has become Krueger’s new partner.

The financial terms of the new partnership have not been released. Krueger will continue to act as CEO and creative director of Mykita. “In Bernd Beetz, we have found the ideal partner, because he understands Mykita and knows that the creative and innovative culture is our greatest capital,” said Krueger.

Beetz is not new to the world of fashion. Until recently, he was CEO of Coty Inc., a global beauty products company. In 11 years, he grew revenue, expanded the company’s presence to 135 markets and added significant brands to its portfolio. He was also president and CEO of the House of Christian Dior at LVMH.

March 2, 2015April 24, 2018

Bortuzzo to Head Kering Eyewear

Long-time optical eyewear industry executive, Antonio Bortuzzo, has joined Kering Eyewear, a division of luxury fashion company Kering as the head of the Americas for the company, VMail has learned. Kering Eyewear is gearing up later this year and into next year with the establishment of its own directly-controlled international eyewear business.

Bortuzzo was most recently president of Viva international Group, just prior to that group being acquired by Marcolin Group in Oct. 2013. His prior roles included CEO of Alain Mikli International, as well as serving as CEO of eyewear wholesaler Allison S.p.A and general manager of Marcolin Group.

Kering is a world leader in apparel and accessories and develops an ensemble of powerful luxury and sport & lifestyle brands: Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Christopher Kane, McQ, Stella McCartney, Tomas Maier, Sergio Rossi, Boucheron, Dodo, Girard-Perregaux, JeanRichard, Pomellato, Qeelin, Puma, Volcom, Cobra, Electric and Tretorn.