Barberini, known for it's performance sun lenses

Luxottica has bought optical glass sun lens manufacturer, Barberini for €140 million, entrenching its focus on “made in Italy” and high-quality sun lenses, said the international Italian eyewear conglomerate.

Barberini lenses have been used in iconic models of Luxottica’s Ray-Ban and Persol brands and are an essential component for many luxury eyewear collections, said the company. With annual net sales of approximately €85 million, Barberini controls its entire manufacturing chain, from raw material to finished lenses, with state-of-the-art industrial sites in Abruzzo, Italy, and Germany, where it specialises in glass melting. Founded by Pietro Barberini in 1963, the company has developed patented new technologies for sun lenses, particularly in thickness, weight, resistance and transparency.

“With the acquisition of Barberini we add another gem to our brands, a name that is well known throughout the industry and synonymous with top quality, innovation and ‘made in Italy’. Barberini will allow us to strengthen our technological leadership in sun and ophthalmic lenses and opens great development opportunities for the future,” said Leonardo Del Vecchio, Luxottica executive chairman.