Safilo Group, which owns the Smith sunglasses and helmet brand, has acquired the remaining 24.4 percent of Italian lens manufacturer Lenti S.r.l. it did not already own.
This acquisition further reinforces Safilo’s stronghold in lens manufacture, where the Group already plays an innovator role thanks to Polaroid, the inventor of the original polarized lenses, and Smith’s Chroma Pop technology.
With Lenti, Safilo is in a position to use uniquely advanced processes and technology for the development and production of the state-of-the-art decorated lenses that are currently setting the trend for the most sought after fashion-luxury brands around the world.
Lenti was founded in 1995 through the collaboration of several optical production specialists, led by Marco Negri and Safilo. Today, Lenti designs, develops and manufactures lenses end-to-end, counting on the most advanced Research & Development and Manufacturing capabilities that are leading the Eyewear industry and Fashion tendencies with unique graphic design lenses.The company is based in Bergamo, Italy.
“Sun lenses are the new frontier “Beyond The Frame”. They are an integral part and a unique differentiator for our most precious Eyewear designs,” said Luisa Delgado, Chief Executive Officer of Safilo Group. “With Lenti, we confirm our strategic commitment to sun lens innovation, research and development to exclusively creative lens designs with unique craftsmanship. We are excited about the industry leading research of our Lenti R&D team, and very happy to count on Marco’s continued expertise and contribution for this journey.
“With this investment,” Delgado continued, “we add another brick to the 2020 Global Supply Network Reinvention. As is happening at our other manufacturing sites, we are investing also here in people, tools, machinery and processes, to increase innovation, quality, capacity and to reduce time to market. It is our aim to serve more of our brands with our most cutting-edge, high design and decorative lenses.”
Safilo Group is the fully integrated Italian eyewear creator and worldwide distributor of premium sunglasses, optical frames and sports eyewear with wholly owned distribution in 39 countries. Its brand portfolio encompasses owned brands Carrera, Polaroid, Smith, Safilo and Oxydo and two dozen licensed brands, including Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Banana Republic, Fossil, Havaianas, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Listed on the Italian Stock Exchange, Safilo recorded net revenues of €1.28 billion in 2015.
