Kering Eyewear bolsters growth strategy with Visard acquisition and Mistral investment

Kering Eyewear has finalised a full acquisition of Visard and taken a minority stake in Mistral, with the possibility of full ownership by 2030.

Located in Belluno, a globally renowned eyewear manufacturing district, Visard and Mistral have been producing sunglasses and optical frames since their founding in 1985 and 1991.

Visard specialises in producing injected plastic optical frames and sunglasses with its 75 skilled artisans, while Mistral’s 120-employee team combines craftsmanship and innovation in premium acetate eyewear.

The acquisition deepens Kering Eyewear’s longstanding partnership with these founding partners, reinforcing its leadership in luxury eyewear design, development and distribution while advancing its industrial development roadmap.

Kering Eyewear Founder, President and CEO Roberto Vedovotto said, “Throughout the years, Visard, Mistral and their respective founding entrepreneurs have provided an invaluable contribution to the success of Kering Eyewear, bringing unparalleled quality and technical expertise to our company.

“We are therefore proud to welcome Visard within Kering Eyewear and delighted to partner with Mistral for the next phase of its development, confirming our commitment to continuing to support the exceptional human capital of the Belluno district, empowering it as the centre of the eyewear industry, while further investing in innovation and promoting craftmanship excellence.”

The transaction is pending regulatory approval and is expected to be finalised in the third quarter of this year.