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Record Year for Italian Eyewear

Exports of sunglasses, optical frames and Italian lenses increased 11.8% in 2014, reaching a record $4.346 billion CAD (3.110 billion).

A total of 94 million pairs of glasses (61 million and 33 million solar ophthalmic frames) were sold outside Italy by Italian manufacturers. This good performance allowed the Italian optical industry to record a total turnover of 4.431 billion Canadian dollars, up 9.4% compared to 2013.

The Americas sold a little less than 30% of these frames, up 9.6% from 2013, with stronger growth in the United States (12.7%). On their own, the United States accounts for 23% of all exports of Italian eyewear.

By the end of 2014, 868 companies made up the industry ,employing 16,195 people, up 2.3% compared to 2013, in addition to about 1,000 temporary workers. This increase is partly due to a return of production in Italy, due to increased production costs in Asia and growth in demand for luxury goods “made in Italy”.

A New Leader is Added to the Sàfilo Sports Division

Kevin Hyland is the new Sàfilo North American sport channel sales leader.

In this role, he will be responsible for Sàfilo sports and outdoor lifestyle brands like Suncloud by Polaroid, Smith Optics and future brands in this segment.

Kevin Hyland’s first tasks will be working with Smith brand leadership and Safilo global commercial leadership teams to further the success of the sports brands’ performance eyewear, goggles, snow and bike helmets in the North American markets.

Kevin Hyland previously worked for well-known brands, such as adidas, Converse, Gatorade and Nike.

Screen shot 2015-03-03 at 10.54.58 AM

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.

Screen shot 2015-03-02 at 10.49.32 AM

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

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

 

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