The latest news and analysis about trade, imports, exports, tariffs and sourcing.
The Vision Council highlights change in US customs tactics, analyzes supply chain scenarios
TVC details the impact of the US administration’s trade policy changes on eyewear supply chains, and sends a delegation to the White House to advocate on behalf of its 500+ members and the eyewear sector at large.
Mixed feelings in Fukui over “Made in Japan” eyewear amid export surge
Exports of Japanese eyewear products have strongly rebounded in recent years, lifted in part by the growing popularity overseas of the Made in Japan label, notably in the US and Europe. However, a recent survey, as well as an initiative by the Fukui eyewear industry association, shows mixed feelings over the country-of-origin label in the region. Meanwhile, the shortage of workers and the increasing number of subcontractors closing shop remain the main challenge for the local industry.
PPG Optical grows with legacy products and innovations, looks for more sustainable processes
Amy Mercante, General Manager Specialty Products, discusses the performance of the group’s optical division and other industry topics including smart eyewear, additive manufacturing and sustainability challenges in the lens supply chain.
Russian contact lenses market in turmoil
Russia experiences a temporary shortage of Johnson & Johnson’s Acuvue contact lenses due to panic buying and logistics disruptions, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported, quoting optical retailers.
EU, UK extend Brexit trade talks in effort to avoid a “no deal”
The United Kingdom and the European Union had decided to wait until Sunday, Dec. 13 to find a compromise on a trade agreement that would go into effect on Jan. 1. But, the European Commission’s president, Ursula von der Leyen, said the negotiators will now continue to work into this ...
The U.K. reaches trade accord with Vietnam, but deal with EU unlikely
The U.K. has finalized a free trade agreement with Vietnam, which is scheduled to become effective from Jan. 1.
TechVision looks to expand one-stop components shop
TechVision, an Italian holding company owning companies producing metal components and providing surface finishing services for eyewear, aims to roughly triple its size in the next three to four years, as the eyewear sector recovers from the hit it has taken from the Covid-19 pandemic and management keeps an eye ...
Synsam builds new plant as it moves production to Sweden
Synsam plans to move eyeglass production from Asia to Sweden next year. The project involves the construction from scratch of a new factory that the company claims will focus on sustainable production.
Selfridges launches Project Earth
Selfridges has launched Project Earth, an initiative which explores “more sustainable ways to shop” by setting new sourcing standards and creating repair, resale and rental businesses.
German optics industry calls for stripped-down free trade deal between U.K., EU
Spectaris, the German industry association for optics, photonics, analysis and medical technology based in Berlin, called for a “stripped-down” free trade agreement between the U.K. and the European Union to avoid the parties failing to strike a deal, which would lead to a so-called hard Brexit.
