RODENSTOCK SELLING EYEWEAR BUSINESS

Rodenstock Group is selling its eyewear business to Italian frames company De Rigo, as the German firm intensifies its focus on ophthalmic lens technology.

The transaction is expected to be completed towards the end of the second quarter of 2023, with Rodenstock Australia general manager Mr Tim McCann stating the company would ensure a smooth transition of Porsche Design Eyewear and Rodenstock-branded frames into the hands of De Rigo’s Australia and New Zealand subsidiary.

De Rigo is described as a family-owned global market leader in the design, production, and distribution of high-quality eyewear.

“With lenses being a key focus for Rodenstock for a long time and B.I.G. VISION doing great things for us, and De Rigo being at the peak of the game when it comes to eyewear, it makes for a perfect arrangement for De Rigo to take over the Rodenstock eyewear division,” McCann said.

“For our Australian customers, we will ensure everything transitions as smoothly as possible and we are working towards building a really close relationship between Rodenstock and De Rigo locally.”

De Rigo Vision Australia general manager Ms Angelina Chee added: “We are very excited to have these premium, quality eyewear brands join our stable and to be working with Rodenstock on the transition.”

Eyewear frames have been a part of the Rodenstock business since its foundation in 1877. McCann said the company founder Josef Rodenstock designed the original frame which was the first patented product of its kind in the world.

According to a statement from Rodenstock Group, the introduction of its B.I.G. VISION for all initiative in 2020, and launch of its B.I.G. NORM technology in early 2022, reinforced its capabilities in developing market leading technologies and setting industry benchmarks.

Having carefully examined different options, Rodenstock management made the “strategic decision” to sell its eyewear business, embarking on another major step on its “transformational path to become a leading med-tech company in vision care”.

For more information, speak to your local Rodenstock Account Manager.

Rodenstock will continue to invest in R&D, as well as product and service portfolio.

“This strategic move serves our overarching goal of continuing Rodenstock’s growth as a med-tech company through innovation, commercial execution, and digitalisation,” Rodenstock CEO Mr Anders Hedegaard said.

“Rodenstock’s strong and growing pipeline of innovation and the ability to reinvent itself and thus drive the industry transformation is and has always been our biggest asset combined with the highest level of service for our customers and partners."

Mr Maurizio Dessolis, executive vice chairman of De Rigo Vision, added: “Rodenstock and De Rigo are trusted partners, and we look forward to expanding this partnership in the future and to support the continued growth of the eyewear business.”

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