Kering Eyewear, part of global luxury firm Kering Group, has completed the acquisition of French manufacturing company Usinage & Nouvelles Technologies (UNT) in accordance with the terms announced on 13 March.
UNT is one of Kering Eyewear’s key suppliers in the manufacturing of high-precision components. Its acquisition represents an important step in the luxury eyewear house’s industrial development strategy.
Kering Eyewear designs, develops and distributes eyewear for a portfolio of 17 brands, including proprietary brands such as Lindberg; Danish eyewear company Maui Jim, which is recognised for its lens technology and Hawaiian heritage; and Zeal Optics, which offers sustainable eyewear for adventure enthusiasts.
Licensed brands Gucci, Cartier, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Chloé and Alexander McQueen are also part of the powerful portfolio.
Founded in 1989 in Morbier, UNT is located in the Upper Jura, a region renowned for being France’s historical eyewear district and for its micro technical savoir-faire. Thanks to its integrated engineering department and state-of-the-art 3,000sq m facility, the manufacturer has long been an emblem of high quality in the luxury eyewear industry.
Kering Eyewear President and CEO Roberto Vedovotto commented: “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.” ✈
