Marcolin

Marcolin is an Italian eyewear manufacturer headquartered in Longarone in the Veneto region. Founded in 1961 by Giovanni Marcolin Coffen, the company began as a small artisan producer of gold-laminated temples for spectacles and later developed into an international designer-eyewear group. Its business combines product design, manufacturing, brand licensing, wholesale distribution, and the management of relationships with fashion, luxury, sportswear, and lifestyle labels. The company serves two complementary roles in the eyewear industry. It develops and markets proprietary brands while also designing, producing, and distributing frames and sunglasses under license from external brand owners. Its licensed portfolio has included labels such as Tom Ford, Adidas, Skechers, Christian Louboutin, and Max Mara. This model allows Marcolin to use its industrial and commercial platform across multiple price segments while giving fashion and lifestyle companies access to specialist eyewear development and distribution capabilities. Marcolin expanded internationally at an early stage. It entered the United States in 1968 and subsequently established offices in France, Switzerland, and Germany. By the 1980s, it was producing approximately one million frames annually. The company later became one of Italy's largest eyewear manufacturers and, by 2012, was described as the country's third-largest producer after Luxottica and Safilo. Ownership and corporate structure have changed several times. French private-equity firm PAI Partners acquired a majority stake in 2012, initially holding approximately 78 percent and later increasing its ownership to about 83 percent in 2019. Marcolin also entered a strategic relationship with LVMH, selling the luxury group a minority stake in Marcolin and jointly establishing Thélios, an eyewear manufacturing venture in which Marcolin held 49 percent. The relationship ended in 2021: LVMH acquired Marcolin's interest in Thélios, while Marcolin bought back LVMH's minority stake in Marcolin. Marcolin continued to expand its portfolio through acquisitions, including the purchase of German eyewear maker Ic! berlin in 2021. The business reported strong long-term revenue growth apart from the pandemic-affected year 2020; reported revenue reached €547 million in 2022. In 2025, VSP Vision announced and subsequently completed its acquisition of Marcolin from PAI Partners and minority shareholders. Under VSP Vision ownership, Marcolin remains an international eyewear platform focused on branded optical frames and sunglasses, licensing partnerships, manufacturing, and global distribution.

Marcolin was established in Veneto in 1961 by Giovanni Marcolin Coffen under the original name Fabbrica artigiana. Its first activity was the manufacture of gold-laminated temples, a specialized component used in eyewear. The business developed from this artisan foundation into a broader frame manufacturer as demand for industrially produced optical goods and fashion-linked eyewear increased. International expansion began with entry into the United States in 1968. Marcolin subsequently opened offices in France, Switzerland, and Germany, creating a direct commercial presence in important European and North American markets. By the 1980s, the company was producing around one million frames per year. Its later business model combined in-house product development with licensing arrangements that connected eyewear collections to recognized fashion, luxury, sportswear, and lifestyle names. By 2012, Marcolin was regarded as Italy's third-largest eyewear manufacturer, behind Luxottica and Safilo. That year, French private-equity firm PAI Partners acquired a majority stake. PAI's initial holding was reported at approximately 78 percent and increased to about 83 percent in December 2019. During this period, Marcolin expanded its international operations and developed a sizable portfolio of proprietary and licensed labels. The company later stated that it sold 14.6 million pairs of eyeglasses in 2018. Marcolin also formed a strategic relationship with LVMH. LVMH acquired a 10 percent interest in Marcolin, while the two companies established Thélios as an eyewear manufacturing venture. Marcolin held 49 percent of Thélios. The partnership gave LVMH a dedicated eyewear platform for its luxury brands while providing Marcolin with a relationship to one of the world's largest luxury groups. In December 2021, the arrangement was restructured. LVMH acquired Marcolin's stake in Thélios, and Marcolin repurchased LVMH's minority holding in Marcolin. The company continued to pursue portfolio expansion. In 2021, it acquired German eyewear producer Ic! berlin, known for its technically distinctive frames. Marcolin's licensing activities also continued, including a renewal of its agreement with Skechers through 2024. From 2013 to 2022, the company's annual revenue reportedly increased each year except 2020, when the eyewear sector was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Revenue reached €547 million in 2022. In 2024, shareholders sought a valuation of the business and Marcolin attracted interest from several possible buyers, including major eyewear and investment groups. In September 2025, VSP Vision announced an agreement to acquire Marcolin from PAI Partners and minority shareholders. VSP Vision completed the transaction in December 2025. The acquisition placed Marcolin within the VSP Vision group while preserving its role as an international designer-eyewear manufacturer, licensee, and distributor.

1. 2025VSP Vision completes the acquisition

   VSP Vision completes its purchase of Marcolin from PAI Partners and minority shareholders.

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2. 2022Revenue reaches €547 million

   Reported annual revenue reaches €547 million after growth in every year from 2013 except 2020.

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3. 2021Acquisition of Ic! berlin

   Marcolin acquires German eyewear manufacturer Ic! berlin.

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4. 2021Thélios partnership is restructured

   LVMH acquires Marcolin's interest in Thélios, while Marcolin repurchases LVMH's minority stake in Marcolin.

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5. 2019PAI Partners increases its ownership

   PAI Partners' holding rises to approximately 83 percent in December.

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6. 2018Reported sales reach 14.6 million eyeglasses

   Marcolin reported selling 14.6 million eyeglasses during the year.

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7. 2012PAI Partners acquires a majority stake

   PAI Partners becomes Marcolin's majority owner, beginning a period of private-equity ownership and international development.

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8. 1980Production reaches approximately one million frames annually

   By the 1980s, Marcolin's production capacity had grown to roughly one million frames per year.

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9. 1968Entry into the United States

   Marcolin expands outside Italy by entering the United States.

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10. 1961Marcolin is founded in Veneto

    Giovanni Marcolin Coffen establishes the company, initially known as Fabbrica artigiana, to manufacture gold-laminated eyewear temples.

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International, design-led eyewear manufacturer and licensee serving luxury, fashion, sportswear, and lifestyle brands.

• Optical framesPrescription eyewear

  Marcolin designs, manufactures, and distributes optical frames for prescription lenses across fashion, luxury, sportswear, and lifestyle segments. The collections are sold through professional optical channels and international wholesale networks, often carrying the visual identity of a licensed or proprietary brand.

• SunglassesFashion eyewear

  Sunglasses are a core Marcolin product category. The company develops seasonal collections incorporating brand-specific design codes, materials, colors, and optical technologies for luxury, fashion, sportswear, and lifestyle labels.

• Tom Ford eyewearLicensed luxury eyewear

  Tom Ford eyewear is part of Marcolin's licensed portfolio. The line translates the fashion house's refined, contemporary luxury positioning into optical frames and sunglasses distributed through premium optical and fashion channels.

• Adidas eyewearLicensed sportswear eyewear

  Adidas eyewear represents Marcolin's sportswear licensing activity, applying the Adidas brand to optical and sun products intended to combine active-lifestyle styling with everyday wearability.

• Skechers eyewearLicensed lifestyle eyewear

  Skechers eyewear is produced and distributed through Marcolin's licensing relationship with the footwear and lifestyle brand. The range includes optical frames and sunglasses designed for accessible, casual, and active-oriented consumers.

• Christian Louboutin eyewearLicensed luxury eyewear

  Christian Louboutin eyewear extends the luxury fashion label into optical frames and sunglasses. Marcolin applies its eyewear manufacturing and distribution capabilities to products carrying the brand's distinctive high-fashion positioning.

• Max Mara eyewearLicensed fashion eyewear

  Max Mara eyewear is part of Marcolin's fashion-brand portfolio, offering optical and sun collections aligned with Max Mara's understated, sophisticated approach to womenswear and accessories.

• Ic! berlin eyewearProprietary or group brand eyewear2021

  Ic! berlin became part of Marcolin through the 2021 acquisition of the German eyewear manufacturer. The brand is associated with technically distinctive, lightweight frame design and adds an independent specialist label to Marcolin's broader portfolio.

• 2025Sale to VSP VisionM&A

  After PAI Partners had been Marcolin's majority owner since 2012, shareholders pursued a valuation and the company attracted interest from several potential buyers.

  What changed. VSP Vision announced the acquisition of Marcolin from PAI Partners and minority shareholders in September 2025 and completed the purchase in December 2025.

  Aftermath. Marcolin became part of VSP Vision while continuing as an international eyewear manufacturing, licensing, and distribution business.

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• 2021Restructuring of the LVMH and Thélios relationshipM&A

  Marcolin and LVMH had created Thélios as a dedicated eyewear manufacturing venture, with Marcolin holding 49 percent and LVMH owning a minority stake in Marcolin.

  What changed. LVMH acquired Marcolin's 49 percent stake in Thélios, while Marcolin bought back LVMH's 10 percent interest in Marcolin.

  Aftermath. The transaction separated the two companies' ownership interests and left Marcolin independent of LVMH's Thélios platform.

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• 2021Acquisition of Ic! berlinM&A

  Marcolin sought to broaden its brand and manufacturing portfolio within the specialist eyewear sector.

  What changed. Marcolin acquired German eyewear manufacturer Ic! berlin.

  Aftermath. Ic! berlin became part of Marcolin's portfolio, strengthening the group's presence in technically oriented independent eyewear.

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• 2025VSP Vision completes acquisition of Marcolin

  VSP Vision completed its purchase of Marcolin from PAI Partners and the company's minority shareholders after announcing the transaction in September 2025.

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• 2021Marcolin and Skechers renew eyewear licensing agreement

  Marcolin and Skechers extended their eyewear licensing relationship through 2024, continuing the development and distribution of Skechers optical frames and sunglasses.

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• 2021Marcolin and LVMH unwind their Thélios partnership

  LVMH agreed to acquire Marcolin's 49 percent interest in Thélios, while Marcolin bought back LVMH's 10 percent stake in Marcolin.

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• 2021Marcolin acquires Ic! berlin

  Marcolin acquired German eyewear manufacturer Ic! berlin, adding a specialist independent eyewear label and its product and distribution capabilities to the group.

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1. Marcolin
2. Marcolin official website