What Shamir UK does

Shamir Optical Industry Ltd., operating through Shamir UK as its UK regional arm, is a premium ophthalmic lens developer and manufacturer founded in 1972 at Kibbutz Shamir in Israel's Upper Galilee. The company designs, develops, and manufactures progressive lenses, single vision lenses, occupational lenses, and sun lenses, supported by a portfolio of proprietary enabling technologies including Eye-point Technology AI (computer-vision-based measurement), Visual AI Engine (AI-driven personalization based on patient visual age), Metaform (advanced freeform manufacturing), As-worn Technology, Natural Posture, and the Glacier family of coatings. Its product portfolio spans the Autograph Intelligence progressive line, Driver Intelligence day/night driving lenses, Sun Intelligence, Attitude III Sport/Fashion, Computer/Workspace occupational lenses, and Blue Zero blue-light filtering materials, with third-party Transitions photochromic technology integrated through partnership.

The company operates a B2B go-to-market model, selling customized lenses to eye-care professionals (optometrists and optical stores) through the ShamirOnline digital ordering platform, with 18 laboratories across 22 countries and 30 global locations supporting manufacturing and finishing services. Revenue is generated through one-time lens sales with pricing negotiated through the professional channel; public pricing is not disclosed. End consumers are reached indirectly via ECP prescription and fitting. The company is jointly owned by Kibbutz Shamir and EssilorLuxottica SA, combining community-based Israeli R&D roots with the global distribution reach of the world's largest optical conglomerate. Strategic visibility partnerships with Alpine F1 Team (since May 2021) and Alpine Esports Team (since 2023) extend the brand into motorsports and gaming verticals, while technology integrations with Transitions Optical and Eyres Sunglasses broaden the product ecosystem.

Name

Shamir UK

Legal name

Shamir Optical Industry Ltd.

Website

https://shamir.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Shamir UK is the UK arm of Shamir Optical Industry Ltd., a premium ophthalmic lens manufacturer serving eye-care professionals across 22 countries with AI-personalized progressive, single vision, and occupational lenses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmic Lens Manufacturing

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers (423460)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sunglasses & Luxury Eyewear (CRAKAEAE), Luxury & Designer Eyewear (CRAAAKAD)

Keywords

• Ophthalmic lens manufacturing
• Progressive lens technology
• Anti-reflective lens coatings
• Blue light filter lenses
• Eye-care professional products

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Premium Ophthalmic Lenses: Development, design and manufacture of premium lenses and molds for the ophthalmic industry sold to eye-care service providers
2. Customized Lens Products: Differentiated and customized lenses based on patient profile, offered through ShamirOnline platform for registered eye-care professionals
3. Coatings and Materials: Proprietary lens coatings including Glacier Expression, Glacier Plus UV, anti-fog treatments and special materials like Blue Zero and polarized lenses

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Shamir UK (part of Shamir Optical Industry Ltd.) designs, develops and manufactures premium ophthalmic lenses and molds - including progressive, single vision, occupational and sun lenses - and sells them through the ShamirOnline B2B platform to registered eye-care professionals (optometrists and optical retailers) across the United Kingdom. The portfolio is built on proprietary AI-driven enabling technologies such as Eye-point Technology AI, Visual AI Engine, Metaform and As-worn Technology, and supported by specialty coatings (Glacier line) and materials (Blue Zero, Polarized), with end-consumer fulfillment occurring through partner optical practices.

Product overview

Shamir Lens Technologies is a premium ophthalmic lens developer and manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of eyeglass lenses and enabling technologies. The product portfolio is organized across four core lens categories: Progressive Lenses (led by Shamir Autograph Intelligence™), Sunglass/Sun Lenses (Sun Intelligence™, Attitude III Sport™, Attitude III Fashion™), Single Vision Lenses (SV III As-worn™, Smart SV™), and Occupational Lenses (Computer™, Workspace™, Smart Office™). These are supported by coating add-ons (Glacier Expression™, Glacier+ UV IR™, Glacier Anti-fog™) and special materials (Blue Zero™, Polarized). Shamir also integrates third-party Transitions® photochromic technology and Eyres sunglasses. Underpinning the entire portfolio are proprietary enabling technologies including Eye-point Technology AI™ (computer-vision-based measurement), Visual AI Engine™ (AI personalization), Metaform™ (advanced manufacturing), As-worn Technology™ (wear-based optimization), Natural Posture™, Intellicorridor™, and Close-up™. The offering also includes ShamirOnline (digital ordering platform for eye-care professionals) and Shamir iFit™ (digital measurement software). The company operates 18 laboratories globally with products sold through eye-care professionals in 22 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shamir Autograph Intelligence: Premium everyday progressive lenses for consumers
• Shamir Sun Intelligence
• Shamir Driver Intelligence
• Shamir Colors
• Shamir Computer
• Shamir Attitude III
• Shamir Glacier
• Shamir Spectrum+
• Shamir Duo
• Eyres Sunglasses

Products and services

• Shamir Autograph Intelligence Premium progressive lens that progresses from near to far distance without visible lines, optimally tailored to individual wearers' needs and visual age using AI-driven personalization via the Visual AI Engine. Sold to eye-care professionals for dispensing to presbyopes and everyday eyeglass wearers.
• Shamir Driver Intelligence Specialist day-and-night driving lens kit consisting of Sun and Moon lenses, designed to address glare, night myopia, and eye fatigue while reducing cognitive load for safer night driving. Targeted at drivers experiencing 70%+ night-driving difficulties.
• Shamir Sun Intelligence Sunglass lens technology delivering clear vision, UV protection, enhanced visual contrast, depth perception and glare reduction in outdoor environments. Dispensed through partner optical practices to consumers requiring prescription sunglasses.
• Shamir Computer Occupational lens providing clear vision up to 1.5m (5 feet), designed for prolonged screen use to reduce neck and arm strain and improve comfort during computer work. Target users are digital device workers and office professionals.
• Shamir Spectrum+ Progressive lens line designed to provide a perfect offering for every customer, covering every price range and lifestyle with Shamir's advanced lens technologies. Targeted at eye-care practices wanting a tiered progressive offering.
• Shamir Attitude III Sport Prescription-tailored progressive sun lens for sports and active lifestyles, delivering clear undistorted vision in curved sports frames with a soft design and stable vision in crucial zones. Target users are athletes and outdoor sports participants.
• Shamir Attitude III Fashion Progressive sun lens precisely tailored to individual prescriptions and dynamic vision zones for modern lifestyles, ensuring clear undistorted visual experience in sunglass frames of any size and curvature. Targeted at fashion-conscious prescription sunglass wearers.
• Shamir Attitude III SV Highly personalized single vision sun lens providing clear undistorted vision across the entire lens surface, with expanded peripheral viewing field for large curved frames. Targeted at prescription sunglass wearers needing single vision correction.
• Shamir Duo Progressive lens designed to address the visual needs of a wide range of wearers, offering balanced performance across all viewing distances. Targeted at early presbyopes and general progressive lens users.
• Shamir Smart Office Occupational lens optimized for office environments, providing clear intermediate and near vision for desktop and monitor viewing. Targeted at office professionals needing intermediate-distance clarity.
• Shamir Workspace Occupational lens providing clear vision across intermediate and near distances for modern work environments. Targeted at office professionals with hybrid screen and document work needs.
• Shamir Polarized Lenses Polarized lenses eliminating glare from reflective surfaces such as water, roads, and snow for enhanced visual comfort and safety outdoors. Sold to eye-care professionals for dispensing to outdoor and driving consumers.
• Shamir Blue Zero Lens material designed to filter blue light from digital screens and artificial lighting, reducing potential eye strain and fatigue. Sold as a special material option through eye-care professionals to digital device users.
• Transitions GEN S (offered through Shamir) Third-party smart lens technology that automatically darkens in sunlight and clears indoors, seamlessly adapting to changing light conditions for all-day visual comfort. Offered by Shamir as an authorized Transitions partner.
• Transitions XTRActive New Generation (offered through Shamir) Third-party photochromic lens that activates even in the car and bright outdoor conditions, providing extra darkness and protection from UV and visible blue light. Distributed through Shamir as a Transitions authorized partner.
• Eyres Sunglasses Premium sunglass frames by Eyres using high-quality materials ensuring protection and performance, designed with comfort, precision and safety in mind for active lifestyles. Sold through eye-care professionals as part of Shamir-Eyres partnership.
• Shamir iFit Measurement Software Digital measurement software enabling eye-care professionals to capture precise fitting parameters and patient measurements for Shamir lens ordering and personalization. Sold/licensed to registered eye-care practices.
• ShamirOnline B2B Ordering Platform B2B online ordering system for registered eye-care professionals with account-based access for ordering customized Shamir lenses. Provides digital ordering infrastructure underpinning the company\u2019s wholesale distribution model.
• Shamir Gaming Glasses Specialized gaming eyeglasses with enhanced lens technology and increased protection from blue light, developed for sim-racing and esports athletes who train up to eight hours daily on simulators, under the Alpine Esports partnership.

Quantifiable outcome

• Driver Intelligence addresses night driving issues affecting 70%+ of drivers who find it difficult to drive at night
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature40 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alpine Esports TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Multi-year extension of partnership into esports. Shamir provides ophthalmic assessments, cutting-edge gaming glasses with enhanced lens technology and blue light protection for sim-racing drivers. The partnership includes R&D collaboration focused on brain-eye relationship to lower response timings, reduce visual fatigue and improve cognitive abilities for F1 Esports Pro-Championship competitors.
• Alpine F1 TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Shamir became the Optical Performance Partner of Alpine F1 Team in May 2021 to enhance the visual quality and safety of every Race Team member. This partnership provides specialized lens technology for professional racing environments.
• SalesForceminorOthersSalesForce is used as a customer relationship management platform to support Shamir's efforts in managing and improving customer relations and growing business operations.
• EssilorLuxottica SAcoreOthersItalian-French multinational corporation jointly owning Shamir Optical alongside Kibbutz Shamir. EssilorLuxottica is a major player in the ophthalmic industry providing significant corporate backing and market presence.
• Transitions OpticalcoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized partner offering Transitions photochromic adaptive lens technologies including XTRActive New Generation, GEN S, Style Mirrors, XTRActive Polarized and Drivewear products. Shamir integrates Transitions technology into their lens portfolio.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Transitions Optical: Transitions Optical is the global leader in photochromic lens technology and a key partner of Shamir (XTRActive, GEN S, Drivewear). It is comparable as an enabling technology provider whose IP is integrated into Shamir's premium photochromic lens offerings.

Direct peers

• Hoya Corporation: Hoya Vision Care is one of the world's largest manufacturers of ophthalmic lenses, including progressive, single vision, and specialty designs. It competes head-to-head with Shamir for ECP mindshare and shelf space globally, with comparable premium positioning.
• Seiko Optical Products: Seiko Optical is a Japanese manufacturer of premium progressive and specialty lenses, distributed globally through ECP channels. It competes with Shamir on technical lens design quality, particularly in Asian markets.
• Tokai Optical: Tokai Optical is a Japanese ophthalmic lens manufacturer specializing in progressive and high-index lenses. It is comparable to Shamir in technical lens design and B2B distribution to opticians.
• Rodenstock: Rodenstock is a German premium ophthalmic lens and frame manufacturer with a strong European ECP channel. It competes directly with Shamir in high-end progressive lenses and biometric lens personalization.
• Nikon-Essilor Co., Ltd. Nikon-Essilor is a joint venture between Nikon and Essilor producing premium ophthalmic lenses, particularly progressive designs. It competes directly with Shamir for ECP distribution in Japan and other markets.
• Essilor (EssilorLuxottica): Essilor is the lens division of EssilorLuxottica, the global ophthalmic lens leader (Varilux, Crizal, Eyezen). It is Shamir's direct competitor in premium progressive and single-vision lenses and is also its 50% co-owner, making it both a peer and a parent relationship.
• Carl Zeiss Vision (ZEISS): ZEISS Vision Care manufactures precision ophthalmic lenses, including progressive and single-vision products, sold through opticians worldwide. It is a direct peer to Shamir in the premium lens segment and competes on optical precision and brand prestige.
• Younger Optics: Younger Optics is a U.S.-based ophthalmic lens manufacturer offering polarized, photochromic, and progressive lenses. It is comparable to Shamir as a mid-sized independent lens maker serving ECPs with specialty lens products.

Emerging players

• Indizen Optical Technologies (IOT): IOT is a Madrid-based ophthalmic lens design and technology company specializing in free-form progressive and occupational lens designs. It is comparable to Shamir in lens technology IP but operates as a design/technology licensor with a smaller manufacturing footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Shamir.Optical.Ind

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Shamir UK