Marchon closed 2005 with growth

Marchon closed 2005 with growth and billings of around 400 million dollars. Performance during the first part of 2006 was also positive: +20% in the first quarter.

Marchon Eyewear is now one of the top international eyewear groups and the only one, after Metter left the scene, that has not kept its headquarters in Italy.

'But in the Belluno district we have an Italian subsidiary with the style center, the production unit for most of the brands in the portfolio and for distribution in Italy', explained Marchon Italy chief executive Giancarla Agnoli.

With its parent company in the United States, Marchon operates on international markets with a dozen labels, including licenses and house-brands: the former include Fendi, Calvin Klein, cK, Nike, Nautica, Michael Kors, Michael by Michael Kors, which launched its sun collection on the Italian market at the last Mido, and the new entry Sean John (which will make young rap enthusiasts very happy); the latter includes Flexon, whose eyewear is made in a special titanium alloy with a high-performance memory.

'Until a few seasons ago, the Marchon group was thought of as being 100% American. With the entry of Fendi in January 2005, it has at last been recognized as international' underscored Agnoli.

Totally produced in Italy, Fendi eyewear recorded a 50-60% increase in sales in the first year of the license.
Another jewel in the crown is Calvin Klein, which renewed its license for the next five years, and the agreement with Nike has been extended to 2012.