NEW YORK—VMail has learned that Luxottica and Oakley, both divisions of Luxottica Group (NYSE:LUX) will be working over the next year to integrate Oakley’s wholesale division into Luxottica Wholesale. The plan is to be a global integration, a spokesperson said.

The plan was communicated by Oakley’s CEO, Colin Baden, internally earlier this week. In response to queries from VMail, Luxottica provided the following statement: “Luxottica and Oakley will take an important step this year to integrate Oakley’s Wholesale division into Luxottica Wholesale. This move will combine the two organizations' efforts to serve the optical and sport markets with a single, more effective market-facing team.”

The statement continued, “Oakley, which achieved record sales and profits in 2014, still has significant opportunity to grow its business. The strength of Luxottica’s wholesale network in North America will add firepower and help the brand reach its full potential. The integrated organization in North America will be led by Luxottica Wholesale president, Holly Rush.”

The company’s statement added, “Preserving the DNA and culture of Oakley is central to the brand's continued success. To that end, product development, design, R&D, marketing and manufacturing for Oakley products will remain under the leadership of CEO Colin Baden at the brand's headquarters in Foothill Ranch, Calif.”

Noting the global integration plan, a Luxottica spokesperson told VMail, “Markets including Brazil and Australia have already been integrated with very positive results." In addition, the spokesperson said, "The integration is expected to be completed by the end of the year, creating a single market-facing team in 2016."

According to the spokesperson, the integration will include Oakley and Arnette and both the Optical and Sport channels, which includes Apparel Footwear and Accessories. While Oakley’s Sport channel will be part of the integration, it will keep a dedicated commercial team. Retail and Military sales will not be included.