Kaenon Polarized, the Southern California-based maker of lifestyle and performance sunglasses, announced a distribution partnership with optical manufacturer Rodenstock. Based in Munich, Germany, Rodenstock will be the distribution partner of Kaenon Polarized products in the European Union, with an initial focus on Germany and Italy in 2010.

Knitoptic Sarl, will continue to operate as Kaenon's exclusive distribution partner in Switzerland.

The companies will officially announce and launch their new distribution partnership this week in Munich at Germany's largest optical trade show, Munich Opti-Fair, where Kaenon will debut in the Rodenstock pavilion.

“After eight years of focused domestic distribution, this new distribution partnership between Kaenon Polarized and Rodenstock will allow both companies to leverage each other's success and strengths for the greater benefit of both. Rodenstock has the heritage, strong management and retail points of sale across Europe to immediately impact and develop the Kaenon Polarized brand, which enjoys a position at the cutting-edge of lens technology with our proprietary SR-91® lenses presented within our performance-driven and authentic California-based brand,” says Kaenon Polarized COO and co-founder, Darren Rosenberg.

“We are looking forward to this strategic partnership. With the Kaenon Polarized brand, we will be able to provide the European sunglass market with a premium performance brand with an emphasis on the underdeveloped polarized market. Rodenstock chose to distribute Kaenon not only due to their exceptional SR-91 polarized lens technology, but because of the brand's genuine California culture, design language, and their authentic position within the sports market,” says Dr. Olaf Göttgens, CEO of Rodenstock.