Safilo celebrates 70 years
Safilo celebrates 70 years in business by opening a 27th sales office, located in Shanghai, China. Not only has this day become an important part of Safilo's historical memory, but it also treads a launch pad to lift off from towards a future of ongoing development and uninterrupted success.
The Safilo brand name was established on 22 March 1934. Since then the 'Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana Lavorazione Occhiali', dedicated initially to the production and marketing of spectacle lenses, metal and celluloid frames and other optical accessories, has gone through phases of continuing growth that have made it number one in the luxury eyewear market and a world leader in the field of spectacles, sunglasses, fashion and sports eyewear.
The Safilo Group currently operates on a worldwide scale with its own proprietary brands including Safilo, Carrera, Smith, Oxydo and Blue Bay, as well as lines produced under license for Bottega Veneta, Boucheron, Burberry, Christian Dior, Diesel, Emporio Armani, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Max Mara, Oliver by Valentino, Pierre Cardin, Polo Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent. For the US market, Safilo distributes with exclusive license, collections for Fossil, Nine West, Kate Spade, Saks Fifth Avenue, Liz Claiborne and J Lo by Jennifer Lopez. Safilo also maintains a significant presence in the sport sector with its dedicated collections, Carrera and Smith. In addition, the company has defined agreements and sponsorship contracts with world-famous athletes and teams.
Headquartered in completely refurbished and modernized premises in Padua, Safilo's production structure includes various plants with state-of-the art equipment and facilities, mainly in Italy but also overseas, able to supply any type of eyewear.
The Group is present in over 120 countries worldwide and its decision to enhance its presence in China involves opening a sales office specially designed to sell eyewear to suit delicate Asian features and bone structure.
China presents an extremely vast market with exceptionally high potential, especially in the ambit of future prospects. In 1994 after opening Safilo Far East, its Asian regional headquarters in Hong Kong, the Group developed a continuous expansion policy for the Orient which led to the opening of Safilo Japan in 1998, Safilo Hong Kong, Safilo India and Safilo Singapore in 2001, Safilo Malaysia in 2002 and now, Safilo China in 2004.
The Shanghai branch has eight sales divisions operated by thirty-seven exclusive agents.
