Ronor International and Eschenbach Optik GmbH have renewed their distribution agreement of Humphrey’s, Brendel, Marc O’Polo and Fineline eyewear for five years. The contract extends Ronor International’s exclusive Canadian distribution rights of these popular German collections.

“Our customers rely on the quality and diversity of these frames to meet their patients’ needs for style and endurance and Ronor International and Eschenbach Optik GmbH have pledged to provide it for years to come,” explains Robert Charbonneau, founder and president of Ronor International. “We’re dedicated to offering our clients an enjoyable, worry-free experience.”

Ronor is the leading per capita distributor in units for Eschenbach outside of Germany. Charbonneau attributes this success to several key points. “The Eschenbach/Ronor alliance has always been strong as a result of our commonalities: both companies are strategic operators with great respect for one another and a commitment to ensuring not only our mutual success, but also the success of the eyecare professionals we ultimately serve. When you factor in the knowledge, longevity and dedication of our sales force, you have an unbeatable combination!”

Eschenbach Optik GmbH is a subsidiary of Eschenbach Group, a long-time leader in the optical and technical drawing instruments industry. Over the last few decades, Eschenbach products have received numerous awards for excellent product design, such as Design Center Stuttgart, Museum of Modern Art New York, Red Dot Award, Silmo d’Or Award and International Design Award Baden-Würtemberg.

As well, the company has won various product tests and trade magazine awards.

Optika Eyewear expands its Mizyake collection with 15 new styles for men and ladies featuring bold new spring/summer colours. Combinations include black on aqua, violet on yellow and green on black. “We’ve extensively used two-tone colour association to bring out facial highlights, such as black on blue to emphasise beautiful blue eyes, or black on brown for brown eyes,” says Optika sales Vice President Richard Allan.

Models present detailed temple cut-outs combined with smaller temple width for better side visibility. All are in stainless steel for super-light-weight construction and increased durability.

Distinctive Designer Eyewear is the proud distributor of its premier line, Native Legend. This speciality line of eyewear showcases original artwork by renowned aboriginal artist Joseph T. Calder. His 50-plus years of experience enhance designs that were exclusively created for the Native Legend line. Bear, eagle, wolf and more adorn each frame and bring to life the incredible legends celebrating the beauty of Canadian wildlife.

The line consists of 10 models for men and women designed to fit all prescription options. The frames are available in varying styles, materials, sizes and colours for a complete collection of 18 pieces.

The beauty of a Native Legend frame is guaranteed for one year and comes with a custom case, microfibre cleaning cloth, gift box, bag and info card (depicting the legend of each specific animal).

Distinctive Designer Eyewear is committed to ongoing POP support for this collection to keep things fresh. Currently, POP material to support the Native Legend line includes display stands, posters, etc., with the promise of new and exciting ongoing material.

TAG Heuer Avant-Garde Eyewear has received for the third time the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for one of its premium eyewear designs — this time, the L-TYPE LW, the latest in the leading-edge L-TYPE series.

The Red Dot Award is one of the world’s most coveted product design awards.  Presented byGermany’s Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen, it is named after theRedDotMuseuminEssen, where the annual prize ceremony takes place. Winners this year were selected from more than 11,000 entries from 60 countries by a 27-member jury of world-renowned industrial designers.

The L-Type LW (Lightweight) is one of the most advanced products ever produced by TAG Heuer Eyewear. A showcase of the brand’s pioneering innovations in eyewear, it combines new materials and technology with superlative ergonomics and comfort, and the finest traditions of luxury craftsmanship.

Launched in February 2011, the L-Type LW is handmade inFranceat the eyewear manufacture located in Morez, in theJura Mountains. Many of its technological components come from the aeronautics and automobile industries: fiber-reinforced polymer lenses, pure titanium bridge and hinge, ceramic-coated 3D titanium temples, 100% carbon frame and dual-injection molded elastomer tips. The patented autoflex nose pads self-adjust to every face type, assuring optimum non-skid hold. The unbreakable lenses are 100% UVA and UVB protected and available for prescription eyeglasses and prescription or non-prescription sunglasses. The choice of luxury leathers — perforated calfskin, python or alligator — is unprecedented. Light, strong and sporty, the L-Type LW fuses exceptional design with the ultimate in precision. Like every TAG Heuer product launched since 1860, it reflects the brand’s unique sporting heritage and unswerving commitment to the avant-garde.

The line is distributed inCanadaby Importlux.

COS, the official Canadian distributor of Silhouette, has created a fresh approach for eyecare professionals to build their business. The Silhouette Joint Business Plan is a partnership between COS and their customers. The promotion offers ECPs to participate in a planned marketing campaign that is paid by the brand. This initiative is organized to benefit both parties.

In today’s Canadian market, the economy has slowed down and larger retailers are gaining new consumers with their competitive prices. The growing popularity of the Internet and online shopping also threatens the ECPs’ business. “According to our latest participation in a Print Measurement Bureau (PMB) survey  (Return to Sample), we have identified different locations where consumers shop for prescription eyeglasses” states marketing director of COS, Manuel Magini. The survey concluded that 13% of consumers shop at large retailers and 2% shop around the Web. ECP need to understand and address these current trends within the industry.

To implement this marketing campaign, COS has acquired databases in research and findings from PMB, BBM and Generation 5 to better understand the different market dynamics. Based on the research results,  the company has created a strategic concept and have acquired media placements that will most effectively reach their target market. COS will be targeting new and returning customers during the marketing campaign. The promotion will be communicated through various touch points surrounding the use of the web and a microsite. Traditional touch points include radio ads, public relations and in-store promotions.

To get a quick glimpse of the marketing campaign, COS invites you to visit betransparent.ca. Eyecare professionals who are interested in further information concerning the Silhouette Joint Business Plan should contact their regional Silhouette sales representative.

Optik Innovision is launching a campaign benefiting breast cancer research. On average 445 Canadians are diagnosed each week with breast cancer and Optik Innovision wishes to financially support different organisations working towards treatment and prevention of this disease.

Optik Innovision presents eight frames of the Allegro and Diva Petite collections in a display box identified to the cause. It will be available for the optical stores wishing to support the program. A percentage of the sale proceeds of these frames will go directly to fund breast cancer research. Optik Innovision representatives will regularly replace the frames in the display box, with attractive and fashionable eyewear.

This campaign, which started in May, will last for one year. Optik Innovision representatives will soon be visiting the optical stores to present the display box and details of the campaign.