Kering acquires manufacturer UNT to strengthen luxury eyewear portfolio

Kering Eyewear has acquired the French company UNT, one of its key suppliers in the manufacturing of high-precision components, strengthening its position in the luxury eyewear sector.

UNT was founded in1989 in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Eastern France. The company is a key player in the manufacturing of high-precision metal and mechanical components for the entire luxury eyewear sector.

It is located in the Upper-Jura, a region renowned for being the historical eyewear district in France and for its technical savoir-faire. Thanks to its internal engineering department and luxury 3,000 sq m facility, UNT has been a constant emblem of high-quality manufacturing in the luxury eyewear industry.

Together with the acquisition of Manufacture Kering Eyewear in 2017 (previously Manufacture Cartier Lunettes), this transaction represents another important step in Kering Eyewear's development strategy.

In its 2022 financial report, Kering saw its eyewear and corporate category revenues reach £1.01 billion (€1.14 billion), a 55% rise year-on-year. Overall, the French luxury group revealed steady growth in 2022 with revenues totalling £18.05 billion, up by 15% year-on-year.

Roberto Vedovotto, President and CEO of Kering Eyewear, commented: "We are pleased to welcome UNT into the Kering Eyewear family. I truly admire the outstanding job that UNT has carried out so far and we are excited to embark on this new journey with a trusted and deeply valued partner.

"Being a long-term, high-quality supplier of Manufacture Kering Eyewear, this new acquisition represents the opportunity to create an integrated luxury eyewear platform with best-in-class manufacturing capabilities, facilities and talents, in addition to supporting and further elevating the Jura district."

The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2023.