PADUA, Italy, Sept. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Safilo Group,
the fully integrated Italian eyewear creator and worldwide
distributor of quality and trust, is proud to announce the launch
of its Product School offering 3-year Apprenticeships to up to 10
young professionals every year, starting from 2015.
On the occasion of its institutional 80th anniversary, Safilo
recalls the importance of its product creation, design,
development, and manufacturing capabilities, and its historical
reputation of offering the very best of Italian tradition through
eyewear apprenticeships dating back as far as 1878. High-quality
eyewear craftsmanship at the heart of modern globally integrated
quality business management is core to Safilo's strategy aimed at
long term sustainable profitable growth.
Safilo announces, therefore, the establishment of the "Safilo
Product School" to give young apprentices starting their
professional lives the opportunity to build foundational mastery
across all Product functions, and then begin Safilo's career path
to form the new generations of Eyewear Product Directors.
Entry into the program based on selection is open to talents
coming from technical institutes or universities, and builds on
international apprenticeship best practice combining on-the-job
learning and job rotation including an international assignment in
Safilo's worldwide operations, coaching by experienced Safilo
managers and experts, and regular classroom training.
The focus is on Product Creation, i.e. from design to product
development, from prototyping to manufacturing, materials, quality,
pricing, and product concept selling. Safilo's values – quality,
durability, and timeless design – together with its unique
technological innovation, that changed the history of the eyewear
industry and that have been present from the very beginning in the
collection of glasses bearing the company's name, will be the basis
on which the courses will be built. Additionally, the program also
covers the development of managerial skills and behavioral
competencies, inspired by Safilo's way of doing business guided by
the company's Values and Principles, as just renewed for its 80th
Anniversary.
The formal training will be administered in collaboration with
national and international partners, i.e. Universities, Technical
and Optical Product Certification Institutes, and Safilo's customer
and supplier network, supplemented by its own global management
team.
The School will enhance the legacy of Safilo's Calalzo di Cadore
site, the Company's first establishment that today hosts more than
three thousand pieces of eyewear belonging to the company's museum,
and a unique worldwide archive of over 250,000 pairs of eyewear
from the late 19th century to today. Safilo's heritage in product
creation and development dates back to 1878, when the very first
production site was established, and afterwards was acquired (in
1934) to become the modern Safilo in today's incorporation.
"The Product School reflects our commitment to eyewear product
craftsmanship and innovation, and our commitment to its future.
With it, we combine our past product tradition with masterful
innovation forward, that future generations will create when given
the opportunity to learn," commented Luisa
Delgado, CEO of Safilo Group. "We aspire to give a
sustainable contribution to the youth, our industry and region,
reaching beyond our own company."
The Safilo Product School counts on the support of its
prestigious License partners, who will play an active role in
qualifying the apprentices at the end of the program. One special
award has already been confirmed, sponsored by Dior, the
prestigious French Maison of highest selective standards, and long
standing partner of Safilo.
Sidney Toledano, President and
CEO of Christian Dior Couture, commented: "Dior stands for highest
standards of Product quality, with craftsmanship, research and
innovation at the heart. Safilo's Product School reflects our
shared commitment in building such skills and values for future
generations, and we are delighted to support Safilo as our partner
of choice."
About Safilo Group
Safilo Group is the fully integrated Italian eyewear creator and
worldwide distributor of quality and trust, leader in the premium
sector for sunglasses, optical frames and sports eyewear. Design
inspired and brand driven, Safilo translates extraordinary design
into excellent products created thanks to a superior craftsmanship
expertise dating back to 1878. Internationally present through 30
owned subsidiaries and exclusive distributors in key markets – in
North and Latin America,
Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia
Pacific and China – Safilo
is committed to quality distribution in over 130 countries around
the world. Safilo's portfolio encompasses proprietary brands –
Carrera, Polaroid, Smith Optics, Safilo and Oxydo – and licensed
brands Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Alexander
McQueen, Banana Republic, Bobbi
Brown, BOSS, BOSS Orange, Bottega Veneta, Celine, Fossil,
HUGO, J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez,
Jack Spade, Jimmy Choo, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Liz
Claiborne, Marc Jacobs, Marc
by Marc Jacobs, Max Mara, Max&Co., Pierre Cardin, Saint Laurent, Saks Fifth Avenue
and Tommy Hilfiger.
Listed on the Italian Stock Exchange (ISIN code IT0004604762,
Bloomberg SFL.IM, Reuters SFLG.MI), in 2013 Safilo recorded net
revenues for more than Euro 1,1
billion.
Contacts:
Safilo Group Press office
Milan – ph. +39 02
77807607
Padua – ph. +39 049 6985322
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140905/143518
SOURCE Safilo Group