Kering Eyewear has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the share capital of the French company UNT, Usinage & Nouvelles Technologies, to strengthen its position in the luxury eyewear industry.
Founded in 1989 in Morbier, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in Eastern France, UNT is a key player in the manufacturing of high-precision metal and mechanical components for the entire luxury eyewear sector. The company is located in the Upper-Jura, a region renowned for being the historical eyewear district in France and for its micro technical savoir-faire. Thanks to its integrated engineering department and its state-of-the-art 3,000 sqm facility, UNT has always been an emblem of high quality and product perfection in the luxury eyewear industry.
Together with the acquisition of Manufacture Kering Eyewear in 2017 – previously Manufacture Cartier Lunettes – and the stake held in Trenti Industria Occhiali since 2019, respectively in France and in Italy, this transaction represents another important step in the industrial development strategy of Kering Eyewear, which controls its supply chain through strategic partnerships with industry-leading manufacturers, ensuring an unparalleled level of quality and technical expertise. UNT has been, in fact, a key, longstanding business partner of Manufacture Kering Eyewear for the provision of its components and Kering Eyewear and UNT share the same vision and values of excellence, craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability.
Roberto Vedovotto, President and CEO of Kering Eyewear, declared: “We are pleased to welcome UNT into the Kering Eyewear family. I truly admire the outstanding job that UNT has carried out so far and we are excited to embark on this new journey with a trusted and deeply valued partner. Being a long-term, high-quality supplier of Manufacture Kering Eyewear, this new acquisition represents the opportunity to create an integrated luxury eyewear platform with best-in-class manufacturing capabilities, facilities and talents, in addition to supporting and further elevating the Jura district.”
The transaction is subject to the clearance by the relevant competition authorities and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2023.
About Kering Eyewear
Kering Eyewear is part of the Kering Group, a global Luxury group that develops a series of renowned Houses in Fashion, Leather Goods and Jewelry.
Founded in 2014, Kering Eyewear is the most relevant player in the Luxury Eyewear market segment. The Company designs, develops and distributes eyewear for a complete and well-balanced portfolio of 17 brands, which includes the proprietary brands LINDBERG, the undisputed design luxury Danish eyewear company, Maui Jim, recognized for its outstanding lens technology and distinctive Hawaiian heritage, and ZEAL Optics, the sustainable eyewear for outdoor adventurers, as well as the Houses brands Gucci, Cartier, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Chloé, Alexander McQueen, Montblanc, Dunhill, Boucheron, Pomellato, Alaïa, MCQ and Puma.
Contacts:
Kering HQ
Emilie Gargatte +33 (0)1 45 64 61 20 emilie.gargatte@kering.com
Marie de Montreynaud +33 (0)1 45 64 62 53 marie.demontreynaud@kering.com
Kering Eyewear
Raffaella Sbano Tamburrino raffaella.sbano@kering.com
As an expert in the luxury eyewear industry, I've closely followed developments in the sector, and I'm well-versed in the various components and players involved. My knowledge extends to the recent acquisition by Kering Eyewear of UNT (Usinage & Nouvelles Technologies), a move aimed at solidifying its position in the luxury eyewear market.
Kering Eyewear, part of the globally renowned Kering Group, has consistently demonstrated strategic prowess in its industrial development. This latest acquisition of UNT, a French company founded in 1989, specializing in high-precision metal and mechanical components for luxury eyewear, is a testament to Kering Eyewear's commitment to excellence.
UNT's significance in the historical eyewear district of Upper-Jura, France, renowned for its micro technical savoir-faire, adds a crucial dimension to Kering Eyewear's supply chain. The company's integrated engineering department and its state-of-the-art 3,000 sqm facility position it as a symbol of high-quality and product perfection in the luxury eyewear industry.
The article emphasizes Kering Eyewear's control over its supply chain through strategic partnerships with industry-leading manufacturers. This control ensures an unparalleled level of quality and technical expertise. UNT, having been a long-term business partner of Manufacture Kering Eyewear, further strengthens this control and contributes to the realization of an integrated luxury eyewear platform.
The strategic significance of this acquisition is highlighted by Roberto Vedovotto, President and CEO of Kering Eyewear, who mentions the opportunity to create an integrated luxury eyewear platform with best-in-class manufacturing capabilities, facilities, and talents. The shared values of excellence, craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability between Kering Eyewear and UNT underscore the synergy in their partnership.
It's worth noting that this acquisition follows Kering Eyewear's previous strategic moves, including the acquisition of Manufacture Kering Eyewear in 2017 and a stake in Trenti Industria Occhiali since 2019. These steps collectively reflect a comprehensive industrial development strategy.
The article also mentions that the transaction is subject to clearance by relevant competition authorities and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2023. This regulatory step underscores the meticulous approach taken by Kering Eyewear in its business dealings.
In summary, Kering Eyewear's acquisition of UNT is a strategically significant move that aligns with its broader industrial development strategy. The integration of UNT into the Kering Eyewear family is poised to create an even more robust and comprehensive luxury eyewear platform, emphasizing quality, innovation, and sustainability in line with industry demands.
