FGX International Acquires Canadian Company Suntech Optics

A new acquisition to strengthen Essilor's subsidiary in the North American market FGX International, a wholly owned subisidiary of Essilor International, has acquired Suntech Optics, a privately held company based in Vancouver, B.C. The acquisition includes the purchase of Naked Eye Enterprises and Bugaboos Eyewear Corp. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.   Canada's leading eyewear company, established in 1970, Suntech Optics primarily designs and markets sunglasses and reading glasses such as Solair, KidSolair, Mac + Jac, Infokus and Croakies brands. Naked Eye Enterprises creates private label eyewear programs, sunglasses, reading glasses and safety glasses, to clients with a distribution channel.   Established in 1996, Bugaboos Eyewear Corp. designs the sport-specific and performance brand Ryders Eyewear. Their Urban styles and goggles are internationally recognized in North America, South America and Europe.   "The Suntech acquisition strengthens our position as the leading non-prescription sunglasses and over-the-counter reading glasses company, and is a key strategic business accomplishment to solidify our position in the North American market," said FGX International CEO César Melo, commenting on the purchase.   "We are stoked!" says Brent Martin, CEO for the combined Suntech/Bugaboos companies. "With the deep pool of talent and resources of FGX and Essilor, we are now in a strong position to take these brands global."