PUMA inked a new, global, long-term license for lifestyle and functional eyewear with Charmant Inc. The first eyewear collection will be presented to the retailers in summer this year and will be available to consumers by the end of 2006.
Based in Sabae-City, Japan, the Charmant Group has 50 years of experience in eyewear frame production and today is one of the worlds leading integrated frame manufacturers, covering design, production, marketing and distribution. They already have extensive expertise in selling licensed brand names such as Boss, Hugo, Elle, and Esprit. The group has an international operating presence and distribution coverage in almost 100 countries. Luxottica Group, the global leader in eyewear, is also part to the agreement and will become the exclusive retail and wholesale distributor in the key North American market in addition to distributing the new PUMA collections through its entire retail network worldwide.
Jochen Zeitz, CEO and Chairman of PUMA AG: “Eyewear is a logical extension of our brand, yet requires significant category-specific know-how and infrastructure, which Charmant Inc., as truly international player, is able to offer. Over the past decades Charmant has acquired a strong reputation for high quality eyewear. The new collection will blend technical innovation with our unique PUMA personality and will help us to further develop and strengthen our licensing business globally as part of Phase IV of our long-term business plan.”
Kaoru Horikawa, CEO and Chairman of the Charmant Group: “We are extremely pleased with the new license agreement and we look forward to working with our new partner. PUMA is one of the most successful Sportlifestyle companies and this co-operation will help us to further expand our business in design and lifestyle oriented market segments. PUMAs unique and sophisticated design language will inspire our product team to create totally new and innovative eyewear designs ”
PUMA has over the past years successfully established business relationships with licensees in several sports and lifestyle related areas. Its current licensing portfolio includes watches, fragrances, bodywear and socks.
