What Safilo Group does

Safilo Group S.p.A. is an Italian eyewear manufacturer and global distributor, founded in 1934 with manufacturing heritage dating to 1878, headquartered in Padova, Italy, and publicly listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (ticker SAFLY). The company operates an integrated design, manufacturing, and worldwide distribution model across three owned production sites, three principal distribution centers, and offices in Italy, the United States (New York and Portland), and Hong Kong. Its portfolio spans 30+ brands under a deliberate dual strategy: owned brands including Carrera, Smith, Polaroid Eyewear, Blenders Eyewear, Privé Revaux, Seventh Street, and Eyewear by David Beckham (acquired as a perpetual license in 2024), and licensed brands including BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo, Under Armour, Victoria Beckham, Carolina Herrera, Pierre Cardin, Kate Spade, and others. Approximately 50% of revenue is generated from home brands and 50% from licensed brands.

The company's revenue model combines wholesale product sales through ~100,000 points of sale in 40+ directly served countries and 70+ partner-served countries, plus licensing royalty streams. Distribution channels encompass independent opticians, global distribution partners, travel retail, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce (about 16% of group sales). End-to-end manufacturing capabilities include frame production, lens manufacturing, galvanic treatments, IMPRINT 3D CAD-CAM design, ECONYL® regenerated nylon sustainable materials (via Aquafil partnership), and the Elasta hinge patent. Safilo's full-year 2025 net sales were €983.4 million (+1.8% at constant exchange rates), with 2025 adjusted EBITDA of €104.2 million (10.8% margin) and net profit of €48.6M (more than double €22.3M in 2024).

Strategically, Safilo has been actively reshaping its portfolio: in 2024 it acquired a perpetual David Beckham eyewear license and a minority stake in Mykita; in 2025 it signed a 10-year Victoria Beckham licensing agreement, launched a €20M share buyback, sold its Lenti S.r.l. subsidiary to Kering Eyewear for €11.9M, and built a 29.99% stake in UK-listed Inspecs Group plc (~£26M total). In 2026 it acquired the Spy+ and Serengeti brands from Bollé Brands. The company is controlled by Netherlands-based HAL Holding (~37%) and reported 3,600+ employees worldwide.

Name

Safilo Group

Legal name

Safilo Group S.p.A.

Website

https://safilogroup.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1878

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Safilo Group is an Italian eyewear manufacturer and global distributor operating a dual-brand portfolio of owned brands (Carrera, Smith, Polaroid, Blenders) and licensed fashion brands (BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria Beckham). It serves approximately 100,000 optical retail points of sale across more than 40 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Eyewear Manufacturing

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers (42346), Optical Goods Retailers (456130)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Eyewear Manufacturing & OEM/ODM (Frames & Sunglasses) (CRAAAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury & Designer Eyewear (CRAAAKAD), Eyewear Retail & DTC Brands (Frames & Sunglasses) (CRAAAKAK)

Keywords

• Optical frame manufacturing
• Sunglasses distribution
• Licensed eyewear brands
• Sport performance eyewear
• Smart eyewear technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Padova

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Eyewear Product Sales: Primary revenue from design, manufacturing, and worldwide distribution of optical frames, sunglasses, and sports eyewear through wholesale and retail channels
2. Licensing Royalties: Revenue from licensing agreements with fashion brands including Liz Claiborne, Pierre Cardin, Carolina Herrera, BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, Kate Spade, Under Armour, and others for design, manufacturing, and distribution of branded eyewear

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Safilo Group is a global eyewear manufacturer and distributor that designs, manufactures, and worldwide distributes optical frames, sunglasses, sport performance eyewear, and smart glasses. The company operates through a balanced portfolio of more than 30 owned brands (Carrera, Smith, Polaroid Eyewear, Blenders Eyewear, Privé Revaux, Seventh Street) and licensed brands from leading fashion and sports houses (BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo, Kate Spade, Under Armour, David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Carolina Herrera, Pierre Cardin, Missoni, Moschino). Products reach approximately 100,000 points of sale in 40+ countries via wholesale to independent opticians, global distribution partners, travel retail, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce.

Product overview

Safilo Group is a global eyewear manufacturer and distributor operating through a dual strategy of owned brands and licensed brands. The company produces optical frames, sunglasses, sports eyewear, and smart glasses through its portfolio of owned brands (Carrera, Smith, Polaroid Eyewear, Blenders Eyewear, Privé Revaux) and licensed brands (BOSS, Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo, Under Armour, Victoria Beckham, David Beckham, Carolina Herrera, Pierre Cardin, Kate Spade, Moschino, Missoni, and others). The company operates an integrated model spanning design, manufacturing, and worldwide distribution with production facilities in Italy and Asia. Key differentiators include proprietary polarized lens technology (Polaroid), smart eyewear with Alexa integration (Carrera Smart Glasses), and sustainable materials including ECONYL® regenerated nylon and Eastman's Renew materials. The portfolio is balanced approximately 50/50 between home brands providing business stability and licensed brands supporting premium positioning, with online/digital channels contributing approximately 16% of group sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Carrera: Proprietary premium eyewear brand; celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2024. Known for bold, sporty designs and Austrian heritage.
• Smith
• Polaroid Eyewear
• Blenders Eyewear
• Privé Revaux
• Seventh Street
• Eyewear by David Beckham
• Victoria Beckham Eyewear

Products and services

• Carrera Eyewear Premium owned eyewear brand specializing in sunglasses and optical frames; known for bold designs, sporty aesthetics, and Austrian heritage. Includes Carrera Smart Glasses with built-in Alexa voice assistant.
• Smith Eyewear Owned sport and outdoor optics brand specializing in performance eyewear, ski helmets, and goggles for skiing, cycling, and outdoor sports enthusiasts.
• Polaroid Eyewear Owned brand featuring proprietary polarized lens technology for sunglasses and optical frames. Leader in polarized optics; positioned as ATP Tour's official eyewear partner.
• Blenders Eyewear Owned youth-oriented lifestyle eyewear brand offering bold colors and affordable pricing, with strong direct-to-consumer presence.
• Privé Revaux Eyewear Owned premium eyewear brand offering fashion-forward sunglasses at accessible price points with celebrity collaborations and accessible luxury positioning.
• BOSS Eyewear Licensed premium menswear brand eyewear collection featuring Signature Light (lightweight stainless steel and Acetate Renew frames) and Signature Bold (heavier acetate) design codes.
• Tommy Hilfiger Eyewear Licensed American casual luxury brand eyewear collection featuring classic American style with modern updates across sunglasses and optical frames.
• Under Armour Eyewear Licensed performance athletic eyewear including prescription frames, sunglasses, outdoor eyewear, goggles, and helmets designed for athletes.
• Victoria Beckham Eyewear Licensed luxury women's fashion eyewear collection under 10-year global licensing agreement effective until December 2035, covering optical and sun products.
• Eyewear by David Beckham Licensed premium men's eyewear collection featuring Timeless Icons and Style Pioneer product lines across sunglasses and optical frames.
• Carolina Herrera Eyewear Licensed luxury fashion house eyewear collection including optical frames and sunglasses with focus on expansion in high-potential key markets and product innovation.
• Pierre Cardin Eyewear Licensed Parisian fashion house eyewear collection including Pierre Cardin Evolution line and other optical and sunglasses collections.
• Kate Spade Eyewear Licensed American fashion brand eyewear collection featuring playful, feminine designs across optical frames and sunglasses.
• Hugo Eyewear Licensed contemporary fashion brand eyewear targeting younger demographic with modern, edgy designs across optical frames and sunglasses.
• Carrera Smart Glasses Smart eyewear with built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant technology, enabling hands-free voice commands for smart home control, music, calls, and information queries through the eyewear.
• Carrera|Ducati Eyewear Co-branded premium sunglasses and optical frame line combining Carrera's eyewear expertise with Ducati's automotive heritage.

Quantifiable outcome

• Revenue growth of 1.8% at constant exchange rates in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, established, major, social impact, core, marketing, innovation, sponsorship and sustainability.

• Bollé Brands (Spy+, Serengeti)strategicOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 7 May 2026Signed exclusivity agreement to acquire Bollé Brands' Spy+ and Serengeti brands, expanding portfolio in sport and premium sunglasses segments.
• Liz ClaiborneestablishedOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 14 April 2026Renewed global multi-year licensing agreement for design, manufacturing, and distribution of optical frames and sunglasses under Liz Claiborne brand. Partnership began in 2003, previously renewed in 2017, with brand celebrating 50th anniversary in 2026.
• Inspecs Group plcmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2026Safilo increased stake to 29.99% representing significant influence over the London-listed optical company. Investment reflects strategic confidence in Inspecs' long-term prospects and represents strategic opportunity in future developments. Bound by UK Takeover Code Rule 2.8 restrictions.
• Pierre CardinestablishedOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 22 December 2025Renewed global licensing agreement for design, production, and distribution of Pierre Cardin optical and sunglasses collections until 2031. Collaboration began in 1991 marking over three decades of partnership with Pierre Cardin Evolution line highlighted.
• Victoria BeckhammajorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 July 202510-year global licensing agreement for Victoria Beckham branded eyewear collections effective until December 2035, covering optical and sun products launching January 2026. Partnership aims to strengthen brand position as global eyewear reference in women's fashion and enhance Safilo's luxury segment portfolio.
• Carolina HerreraestablishedOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 27 June 2025Renewed global licensing agreement for design, manufacturing, and distribution of Carolina Herrera branded eyewear through 2031. Renewal confirms successful collaboration with constant growth in brand recognition since beginning in 2022.
• DucatiestablishedOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 26 June 2025Renewed global agreement for development and distribution of Carrera|Ducati sunglasses and optical frames until 2029. Partnership combines automotive heritage with eyewear design excellence.
• Kering EyewearmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2025Renewed supply agreement with Kering Eyewear until 2029, strengthening Safilo's position as a global player in eyewear industry with broad portfolio and extensive distribution network. Additionally sold Lenti Srl subsidiary to Kering Eyewear for €11.9 million.
• Special Olympicssocial impactStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2025Long-standing partnership renewed through 2027 supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities through eyewear and visibility programs.
• Under ArmourcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 14 January 2025Renewed global licensing agreement for Under Armour branded eyewear through 2031. Safilo designs, manufactures, and distributes prescription frames, sunglasses, outdoor eyewear, goggles, and helmets for the brand. Partnership established in 2020.
• Pat Cummins (Carrera Brand Ambassador)marketingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Australian cricketer and world champion Pat Cummins serves as Carrera brand ambassador for 2025, coinciding with launch of Carrera Sport Collection featuring CSport 02 model.
• MykitastrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Acquired minority stake in German eyewear brand Mykita in November 2024. Mykita operates 16 monobrand stores globally with approximately 3,000 wholesale clients. Strategic partnership for premium eyewear market expansion.
• David Beckham (Eyewear by David Beckham)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 May 2024Acquired perpetual license for Eyewear by David Beckham brand in May 2024, transforming previous partnership into permanent ownership of the brand category. Spring/Summer 2026 collection launched featuring Timeless Icons and Style Pioneer product lines.
• BOSS (Hugo Boss)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2024License renewed through 2031 as part of Safilo's portfolio balance strategy. BOSS Eyewear 2025 collections feature Signature Light and Signature Bold design codes with sustainable materials including recycled lens content and Acetate Renew.
• Amazon (Carrera Smart Glasses)innovationTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Partnership for launch of Carrera Smart Glasses with Alexa built-in voice assistant technology in 2023. Collaboration positions Safilo at intersection of fashion eyewear and smart technology.
• Polaroid Eyewear (ATP Tour)sponsorshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Official eyewear partner of ATP Tour through 2027, positioning Polaroid brand in professional tennis ecosystem and reaching tennis enthusiasts globally.
• The Ocean CleanupsustainabilityStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership with Dutch non-profit organization developing advanced technologies for removing plastic waste from oceans. Safilo produces exclusive sunglasses made from recycled ocean plastics.
• Aquafil (ECONYL®)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019Pioneering partnership for ECONYL® regenerated nylon material used in eyewear production. Material sourced from Aquafil enables sustainable eyewear manufacturing without compromising quality or performance.

Scale indicators22 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• EssilorLuxottica: Vertically integrated eyewear manufacturer and retailer (Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut) operating the same design-manufacture-distribute model at a much larger scale, directly competing with Safilo for licensed brand agreements and shelf space across optical and sport channels.
• Marcolin Group: Italian eyewear manufacturer producing licensed brands such as Tom Ford, Ermenegildo Zegna, Max Mara, and Guess. Competes head-to-head with Safilo in the same luxury/design eyewear license bidding space and shares a similar Italy-based manufacturing footprint.
• De Rigo: Italian eyewear group manufacturing licensed brands (Furla, Lozza, Police) with a similar owned-brand-plus-licensed-brand portfolio strategy. Competes directly with Safilo in European optical wholesale and DTC channels.
• Inspecs Group plc: London-listed eyewear designer and manufacturer producing proprietary and licensed eyewear including for TK Maxx, Warehouse, and several optical brands. Direct comparable in business model; Safilo holds 29.99% strategic stake and is bound by UK Takeover Code restrictions on a potential bid.
• Marchon Eyewear: US-based eyewear manufacturer producing licensed brands (Nike, Lacoste, Calvin Klein) and proprietary brands (Flexon, Dragon Alliance). Competes with Safilo in North America wholesale and sport/lifestyle segments.

Broad incumbents

• Kering Eyewear: Vertical eyewear arm of Kering producing in-house licensed eyewear for Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and Balenciaga. Acquired Lenti S.r.l. from Safilo in 2025, signaling verticalization away from Safilo's wholesale manufacturing model.
• HOYA Vision Care: Global ophthalmic lens and optical retail components business with portfolio including vision lens coating, spectacle lens, and selective wholesale eyewear offerings. Provides comparable supply-chain and optical-goods footprint though lens-weighted rather than frames.

Regional players

• Charmant Group: Japanese eyewear manufacturer producing licensed eyewear (Puma, Jimmy Choo) and proprietary titanium frames. Shares the OEM/ODM + licensed-brand model with Safilo but is primarily Japan/APAC focused, limiting direct competitive overlap outside that region.

Emerging players

• Maui Jim: Premium polarized sunglasses brand sold primarily through independent optical channels. Competes with Safilo's Smith and Polaroid brands in the high-ASP sport/premium sun category and shares the wholesale-optic distribution model.
• Mykita: Berlin-based premium designer eyewear brand operating 16 monobrand stores globally with ~3,000 wholesale clients. Comparable premium positioning; Safilo holds a minority stake acquired November 2024, signaling strategic alignment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Safilo Group