Marcolin is expanding its footprint in the eyewear industry.
The Italian eyewear company announced today it has acquired independent German eyewear manufacturer ic! Berlin GmbH.
Ic! berlin was founded in 1996 in Berlin. The luxury brand has earned a loyal following and strong reputation built on its handmade eyewear of exceptional quality, design, and durability. The company has won numerous awards, including the Silmo d’Or Award, the MIDO Eyewear Award, and the Red Dot Design Award. It’s luxury suns and prescription frames are noted for not using screws, springs, or welds in their design.
Financial terms of the deal have not been announced.
However, as part of the agreement, Marcolin will absorb ic! berlin’s workforce of around 140 individuals. These include employees at the headquarters in the German capital, its production plant, and in branches in Japan and the U.S.
The latest move comes on the heels of Marcolin’s recently announced partnership with German luxury fashion house MCM.
Marcolin has been in the eyewear industry for more than 60 years. It is the home of a prestigious lineup of luxury eyewear brands, such as Tom Ford, designer brands, such as Kenneth Cole and Guess, and transcendent global name brands such as Adidas and Harley-Davidson.
You can read the full press release below:
Longarone/Milan, November 8, 2023 – Marcolin, a leading group in eyewear, finalized the acquisition of ic! berlin GmbH, an independent eyewear manufacturer established in Berlin in 1996.
A multi-award-winning company for the design of its creations – including the Silmo d’Or award – ic! berlin carries out in-house design, prototyping, manufacturing and assembling of its luxury sunglasses and optical frames. Marcolin takes full control of the Company, integrating within its organization approximately 140 employees located at the Berlin headquarters, and manufacturing plant, and in two subsidiaries in Japan and United States.
The acquisition is part of Marcolin’s strategy of enhancing its expertise in metal manufacturing and broadening its luxury portfolio, a segment with huge potential, while also strengthening its market positioning in key areas, such as Asia and Europe.
ic! berlin officially becomes one of Marcolin’s house brands, along with WEB EYEWEAR, strengthening a strategic segment for the Company.
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About Marcolin
Marcolin is a worldwide leading group in the eyewear industry founded in 1961 in the heart of the Veneto district, Italy. It stands out for the unique ability to combine craftsmanship with advanced technologies through the constant pursuit of excellence and continuous innovation. The portfolio includes proprietary brands (WEB EYEWEAR), as well as more than twenty licensed brands: TOM FORD, Guess, adidas Sport, adidas Originals, Max Mara, Moncler, Zegna, GCDS, MAX&Co., MCM, Barton Perreira, Tod’s, Pucci, BMW, Kenneth Cole, Timberland, GANT, Harley-Davidson, Marciano, Skechers and Candie’s. Through its own direct network and global partners, Marcolin distributes its products in more than 125 countries. At the end of 2022, Marcolin Group had about 2,000 employees and net sales of €547.4 million. www.marcolin.com
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