Barberini finalizes acquisition of Schott
After brief but intense negotiations, Barberini S.p.A. in Silvi (Teramo) has finalized the acquisition of the ophthalmic division of Schott AG.
The acquisition has given Barberini a long-term guarantee of the considerable knowledge that Schott has gained in over 120 years of producing ophthalmic glass for lenses. Led by Barberini, new impetus will be given to the research sector by making use of the extensive expertise of the German company’s scientists and technicians, especially in the area of special glass for superior performance prescription and sun lenses.
For a few years now, ophthalmic glass manufacturers have been experiencing a period of crisis and a decline in billings, due mainly to the market orientation from vision correction lenses toward lighter and less expensive plastic lenses.
Barberini is one of the world’s leaders for the production of lenses for sunglasses, where optical glass is used in prestigious eyewear collections by the best manufacturers in the world. Optical glass for sun lenses is still unrivaled for transparency quality, optical precision, absence of aberrations, and unalterable optical surfaces. For example, the unique, ultra-light polarized lenses that are only 1.8 mm thick have made Barberini famous worldwide.
This vertical integration will give rise to excellent quality throughout the production cycle: from the raw materials and the glass manufacturing lines at Schott in Germany to the transformation into protective sun lenses at Barberini. A route that goes against the general trend of decentralizing to areas where labor costs are low. An ambitious step that is sure to be welcomed positively by the users of our lenses and will continue to make us one of the leading lens producers on the market.
The acquisition includes the engineers and workforce already employed by Schott, who will be joined by our people in Abruzzo, a highly-motivated group of technicians with unique experience.
New impetus will be given to research on sun protection and selective sun filters, as well as the many applications for ophthalmic glass in various fields.
At a time of global crisis, this strongly sought after integration will free Barberini from the corporate policies of ophthalmic glass producers and allow it to launch its product with new ideas, technical proposals and research.
