Safilo Group, the Italian parent of the Smith sports optics and helmet brand, plans to relocate its North American headquarters which is currently co-located with a distribution center in Parsippany, NJ to be closer to its Manhattan showroom.
The decision follows the company's decision to simplify and streamline operationally its US Logistics and Distribution network, which will be run entirely out of its existing Distribution Center in Denver (Colorado). Following a carefully planned operational transition, the Parsippany Distribution Center will close by mid next year.
A relocation study for the Group's future North America headquarters has been launched involving an employee taskforce to identify the most attractive HQ location closer to New York City and better connect with Safilo's Fifth Avenue showroom. The study will conclude by this fall, and the move is anticipated within 2016.
“Safilo's business in North America is strong and growing. We start here with the worldwide simplification of our Logistics and Distribution network as per our 2020 Strategic Plan,” comments Luisa Delgado, CEO of Safilo Group. “North America's leading eyewear retailers, trend setting design and innovation, and our Solstice Sunglasses shopper lab, offer important inspiration for our Group worldwide. We are also opening here our fourth global Design Studio, co-located within our NYC Showroom. A new North American headquarters offers further unique opportunity to reinvent ourselves and attract additional talent to build North America's future business growth.”
The distribution center's consolidation into Denver leverages Denver's already important track record in delivering customer service across the region. All DC employees in Parsippany are being offered the choice to relocate to Denver or alternatively to receive transition and outplacement support. Safilo has been present in the US since 1986, and has been located in Parsippany since November 1997.
