Safilo
Encyclopedia
Safilo Group S.p.A.Safilo Group S.p.A. (} is the world's second-largest eyewear
company. It designs, produces and distributes prescription frames, sunglasses, sports eyewear, ski goggles, ski and cycling helmets under its own five “House” brands and about thirty licensed brands. Their products are primarily manufactured in three Italian facilities with an additional plant in Slovenia
, one in USA and one in China
, and are marketed in 130 countries worldwide. Based in Italy, Safilo's major competitor includes Milan-based Luxottica SpA
, which is the worlds biggest eyeglass maker.
. Exports in the 1930s expanded to many European countries, North Africa, the Middle East and South America.
In the 1940s, operations expanded and new construction allowed 300 office and factory-floor employees to operate. However, Safilo was forced to produce only one type of eyewear, a celluloid frame in two colours, amber and reddish Havana brown, that were all sent to Germany.
After the war, exports to other European nations resumed and operations expanded to Rome and Milan with exports beginning in the United States.
In 1974, the founder of Safilo died and his sons took over running the business.
In the 1970s, Safilo opened sales offices in various European nations, patented the Elasta hinge, and introduced a popular UFO model of sunglasses.
In the 1980s, Safilo developed designer collections, gained full control of American eyewear company Starline Optical Corp, then sunglass-maker Friuli-based Oxsol and was listed on the Milan Stock Exchange.
In the 1990s, Safilo entered the Asian market in Hong Kong, opened branches in more European nations, South Africa, Japan and Brazil, acquired American sports eyewear maker Smith Sports Optics, Inc, and Austria's Carrera Optyl.
In May 2001, Safilo Chairman Vittorio Tabacchi began a takeover bid in which he acquired full ownership of Safilo. The company returned to the Milan Stock Exchange in December 2005.
In 2001 the company inaugurated its new centralized warehouse at its Padua headquarters, a state-of-the-art structure with highly automated facilities. At this point, the distribution platform consisted of three main centres, located in Padua, Parsippany, New Jersey, and Hong Kong.
In 2002 Safilo acquired the Solstice chain in US.
In July 2003 Safilo Group purchased Outlook Eyewear, a US distributor based in Denver.
In March 2010 the Multibrands Italy B.V. (company controlled by HAL Holding N.V.) became the majority shareholder of Safilo Group, with 37.23% of the share capital.
The company also creates eyewear under license for designer labels such as:
Safilo’s products are primarily sold to wholesale clients through approximately 80,000 points of sale in about 130 countries in the world.
Glasses
Glasses, also known as eyeglasses , spectacles or simply specs , are frames bearing lenses worn in front of the eyes. They are normally used for vision correction or eye protection. Safety glasses are a kind of eye protection against flying debris or against visible and near visible light or...
company. It designs, produces and distributes prescription frames, sunglasses, sports eyewear, ski goggles, ski and cycling helmets under its own five “House” brands and about thirty licensed brands. Their products are primarily manufactured in three Italian facilities with an additional plant in Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, one in USA and one in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, and are marketed in 130 countries worldwide. Based in Italy, Safilo's major competitor includes Milan-based Luxottica SpA
Luxottica
Luxottica Group S.p.A. is the world's largest eyewear company. Its best known brands include Ray-Ban, Persol and Oakley, Inc.. It also makes sunglasses and prescription frames for a multitude of designer brands such as Chanel and Prada, whose designs and trademarks are used under license...
, which is the worlds biggest eyeglass maker.
History
Safilo Group S.p.A. was founded in 1934 after Guglielmo Tabacchi purchased Italy’s first industrial complex for producing lenses and frames in Pieve di CadorePieve di Cadore
Pieve di Cadore is a comune in the province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto, located about 110 km north of Venice and about 35 km northeast of Belluno.The painter Titian was born here, c. 1485...
. Exports in the 1930s expanded to many European countries, North Africa, the Middle East and South America.
In the 1940s, operations expanded and new construction allowed 300 office and factory-floor employees to operate. However, Safilo was forced to produce only one type of eyewear, a celluloid frame in two colours, amber and reddish Havana brown, that were all sent to Germany.
After the war, exports to other European nations resumed and operations expanded to Rome and Milan with exports beginning in the United States.
In 1974, the founder of Safilo died and his sons took over running the business.
In the 1970s, Safilo opened sales offices in various European nations, patented the Elasta hinge, and introduced a popular UFO model of sunglasses.
In the 1980s, Safilo developed designer collections, gained full control of American eyewear company Starline Optical Corp, then sunglass-maker Friuli-based Oxsol and was listed on the Milan Stock Exchange.
In the 1990s, Safilo entered the Asian market in Hong Kong, opened branches in more European nations, South Africa, Japan and Brazil, acquired American sports eyewear maker Smith Sports Optics, Inc, and Austria's Carrera Optyl.
In May 2001, Safilo Chairman Vittorio Tabacchi began a takeover bid in which he acquired full ownership of Safilo. The company returned to the Milan Stock Exchange in December 2005.
In 2001 the company inaugurated its new centralized warehouse at its Padua headquarters, a state-of-the-art structure with highly automated facilities. At this point, the distribution platform consisted of three main centres, located in Padua, Parsippany, New Jersey, and Hong Kong.
In 2002 Safilo acquired the Solstice chain in US.
In July 2003 Safilo Group purchased Outlook Eyewear, a US distributor based in Denver.
In March 2010 the Multibrands Italy B.V. (company controlled by HAL Holding N.V.) became the majority shareholder of Safilo Group, with 37.23% of the share capital.
Brands
The house brands include:- Safilo
- CarreraCarrera SunglassesCARRERA is a trademark belonging to Safilo Group S.p.A. that designs and produces sunglasses and sports eyewear. Founded in Austria in 1956, it now operates from Padova, Italy.-History:...
- Oxydo
- Blue Bay
- Smith Optics
The company also creates eyewear under license for designer labels such as:
- Alexander McQueenAlexander McQueenLee Alexander McQueen, CBE was a British fashion designer and couturier best known for his in-depth knowledge of bespoke British tailoring, his tendency to juxtapose strength with fragility in his collections, as well as the emotional power and raw energy of his provocative fashion shows...
- A/X Armani Exchange
- BalenciagaBalenciagaBalenciaga is a fashion house founded by Cristóbal Balenciaga, a Basque designer, born in the Basque Country, Spain. He had a reputation as a couturier of uncompromising standards and was referred to as "the master of us all" by Christian Dior. His bubble skirts and odd, feminine, yet ultra-modern...
- Banana Republic
- Bottega VenetaBottega VenetaBottega Veneta is an Italian luxury goods house best known for its leather goods. Founded in 1966, it was purchased in 2001 by Gucci Group, now a part of the French multinational group PPR. Bottega Veneta is headquartered in Vicenza, in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy.- History :Bottega...
- Boss by Hugo Boss
- Boss Orange
- DiorDiorDior can mean:* Christian Dior SA, a French clothing retailer* In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional Middle-earth legendarium:**Dior Eluchíl, a Half-elven of the First Age**Dior , a Steward of GondorDior is a surname, and may refer to:...
- Emporio Armani
- FossilFossil, Inc.Fossil, Inc. is a designer and manufacturer of clothing and accessories, primarily watches and jewelry, but also sunglasses, wallets, handbags, belts, shoes and clothing, based in Richardson, Texas, United States...
- Giorgio ArmaniGiorgio ArmaniGiorgio Armani is an Italian fashion designer, particularly noted for his menswear. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines. He formed his company, Armani, in 1975, and by 2001 was acclaimed as the most successful designer to come out of Italy, with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion and a...
- GucciGucciThe House of Gucci, better known simply as Gucci , is an Italian fashion and leather goods label, part of the Gucci Group, which is owned by French company PPR...
- Hugo by Hugo Boss
- J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez
- Jimmy ChooJimmy ChooDato' Jimmy Choo, OBE, born Choo Yeang Keat, is a Malaysian fashion designer based in London, United Kingdom. He is best known for founding Jimmy Choo Ltd that became known for its handmade women's shoes....
- Juicy CoutureJuicy CoutureJuicy Couture is a contemporary line of both casual and dressy apparel based in Arleta, Los Angeles, California founded by Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor in 1996...
- Kate SpadeKate SpadeKate Brosnahan Spade is the co-founder and namesake of the designer brand, Kate Spade New York .- Early life and beginnings :...
- Liz ClaiborneLiz ClaiborneAnne Elisabeth Jane "Liz" Claiborne was a Belgian-born American fashion designer and entrepreneur. Claiborne is best known for founding Liz Claiborne Inc. which in 1986 became the first company founded by a woman to make the Fortune 500...
- Marc JacobsMarc JacobsMarc Jacobs is an American fashion designer. He is the head designer for Marc Jacobs, as well as Marc by Marc Jacobs, a diffusion line, with more than 200 retail stores in 60 countries. He has been the creative director of the French design house Louis Vuitton since 1997...
- Marc by Marc Jacobs
- Max MaraMax MaraMaxMara, or The House of MaxMara, is a luxury Italian fashion house known for its ready-to-wear clothing. Established in 1951 in Reggio Emilia by Achille Maramotti...
- Max&Co.Max MaraMaxMara, or The House of MaxMara, is a luxury Italian fashion house known for its ready-to-wear clothing. Established in 1951 in Reggio Emilia by Achille Maramotti...
- Nine WestNine WestNine West is a fashion wholesale and retail company best known for quickly translating runway trends into styles attainable by mass consumers. Initially founded as a fashion footwear brand, Nine West has since expanded into handbags, sunglasses, legwear, outerwear, jewelry, belts, watches, cold...
- Pierre CardinPierre CardinPierre Cardin Cardin was known for his avant-garde style and his Space Age designs. He prefers geometric shapes and motifs, often ignoring the female form. He advanced into unisex fashions, sometimes experimental, and not always practical...
- Saks Fifth AvenueSaks Fifth AvenueSaks Fifth Avenue is a luxury American specialty store owned and operated by Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises , a subsidiary of Saks Incorporated. It competes in the high-end specialty store market in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, i.e. 'the 3 B's' Bergdorf, Barneys, Bloomingdale's and Lord & Taylor...
- Tommy HilfigerTommy HilfigerThomas Jacob "Tommy" Hilfiger is an American fashion designer and founder of the premium lifestyle brand Tommy Hilfiger.-Early life:...
- ValentinoValentino SpAValentino SpA is a clothing company founded in 1959 by Valentino Garavani. Nowadays it is a part of Valentino Fashion Group. New creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli will take Alessandra Facchinetti's seat as creative designer...
- Yves Saint LaurentYves Saint Laurent (brand)Yves Saint Laurent or YSL is a luxury fashion house founded by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé. Today, its chief designer is Stefano Pilati. Yves Saint Laurent, founder of the brand, died in 2008.-History:...
Sales
In full year 2010, the Safilo Group’s revenues were up 6.8% over 2009, with Net Sales at Euro 1,079.9 million. Sales have been determined by prescription frames (38%), sunglasses (54.3%) and sport and other products (7.7%).Safilo’s products are primarily sold to wholesale clients through approximately 80,000 points of sale in about 130 countries in the world.