Kering Eyewear acquires Italian lens manufacturer Lenti

Kering Eyewear continues to expand its operations to strengthen its supply chain. The eyewear division of French luxury group Kering has made its third acquisition in less than three months, purchasing Lombardy-based optical lens manufacturer Lenti from Italian group Safilo. The companies did not disclose the value of the transaction.

Kering Eyewear describes the deal as “a key milestone in its industrial development strategy,” providing the opportunity “to add internal capabilities for the production of Italian-made sun lenses known for exceptional quality, technological innovation, and superior performance,” the company stated in a press release.

Entrepreneur Marco Negri founded Lenti in 1996 in Brembate di Sopra, in the province of Bergamo, in partnership with the Safilo Group. The company employs around 100 people and has developed advanced technologies for graphic lenses. It specializes in molding and surface treatments that protect and enhance vision across various applications, including sunglass lenses, visors, lighting components, and protective elements used in the automotive and motorcycle industries.

“We have valued Lenti’s products for many years and are proud to welcome the company to Kering Eyewear. It brings an additional area of expertise to our industrial platform of manufacturing capabilities, factories, and, most importantly, outstanding talent,” said Roberto Vedovotto, founder and CEO of Kering Eyewear.

Since its creation in 2014, the eyewear division has focused on designing, developing, and selling eyewear, relying on a network of carefully selected production partners. However, the company’s rapid growth in recent years—generating €1.6 billion in revenue in 2024—has led it to enhance control over its supply chain by acquiring some of its suppliers.

In April, Kering Eyewear acquired Italian manufacturer Visard, which produces optical and sunglass frames using injected plastic, and took a minority stake in Italian company Mistral, known for its acetate frame designs, with the option to complete a full acquisition by 2030.