FYI

FYI...

News Bits From the Industry

{LICENSE LINEUP}

The luxury division of Match Eyewear, Design Gallery, has acquired the Kata Eyewear brand, effective immediately. The relaunch of Kata Eyewear will debut in 2017.

Safilo Group has announced the following licensing agreements: the early renewal of the agreement for the design, manufacturing, and worldwide distribution of Max Mara optical frames and sunwear, which will run until Dec. 31, 2023; and a new licensing agreement for the design, manufacturing, and worldwide distribution of the Moschino and Love Moschino collections of optical frames and sunglasses. The agreement will run for eight years, starting January 2018, with an option for eight more.

{PEOPLE}

eyebobs has announced the appointment of Michael Hollenstein to the new position of vice president, consumer direct and Roddy Mann to vice president, sales.

Kenmark Eyewear has promoted Matt Kremer to director of global supply chain.

l.a.Eyeworks has named Rob Rich president and managing partner. Barbara McReynolds and Gai Gherardi will continue their roles as creative directors/designers of the l.a.Eyeworks collections, and Margo Willits remains international sales manager.

Randolph Engineering, Inc., announces four new hires: Aaron Panone, director of engineering and design; Richard Berman, purchasing manager; and Kathy Lussier and Jarred Jeter, customer service representatives.

Safilo Group has appointed Joanna Onland to its executive team, leading Western Europe and global key accounts.

Satisloh North America has appointed Steele Young as vice president of business development/key accounts. He has been with the company for 27 years.

Schneider Optical Machines has appointed Jeff Endres as director of consumables products. Previously, Endres held executive roles with The Vision Council and Shamir Insight.

The national Think About Your Eyes campaign announced two staffing changes: Jon Torrey, previously the director of professional relations, will now be executive director of the campaign, and Dana Fairbanks has joined as a marketing consultant.

Yale F. Weissman, Modern Optical

Joanna Onland, Safilo Group

Steele Young, Satisloh North America

Jeff Endres, Schneider Optical Machines

{BUSINESS UPDATES}

L’amy America will hold its “Buy One, Give One” holiday charity program until December 31. Opticians may sign up now and keep track of frames sold.

MODO has announced its new social responsibility program with the Seva Foundation, “Buy a Frame, Help a Child See.”

{IN MEMORIAM}

Modern Optical announces the passing of Yale F. Weissman, co-founder and chairman, on September 18. He co-founded Modern Optical in 1974.

{CORRECTION}

The September issue incorrectly identified the new lensometer from Coburn Technologies. Its name is the HLM-9000.

opti Munich Looks Toward the Future

opti Munich, the international trade show for optics and design, will take place Jan. 28-30, 2017, at Fairground Messe München, and trade show organizer GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen will celebrate its 10th anniversary of hosting the show.

In preparation for this and future shows, GHM will bring a group of opti exhibitors and opticians together this month for a roundtable discussion that will address pressing industry questions. The first “Seed Session—the Future Panel” will be held on November 17 in Munich. Companies such as CooperVision, Essilor, and Satisloh will be present.

“Optometry representatives and industrial representatives from the various sectors at the trade show will come together in the workshop—a novelty for opti,” says Dieter Dohr, CEO of GHM. “For the first time, both our client groups will exchange ideas together about the future and discuss and design their dream trade show with GHM.”

During the workshop, attendees will determine the key topics for the five “Seed Sessions” until 2019 (the year in which two newly constructed trade show halls will be added), as well as the potential for additional members.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OPTI, VISIT OPTI.DE/EN

Bettina Reiter, project manager of opti, and Dieter Dohr, CEO of GHM, enjoy 3D street art celebrating the construction of the two new halls (C5 und C6) at Fairground Messe München. opti will benefit from the extension of the Fairground Messe München as of 2019.