WARREN, N.J. and ONEONTA, N.Y.—New Jersey-based Mondottica announced today that it has made an initial investment to acquire SD Eyes, based in Oneonta, New York. After several years of partnership, this planned acquisition brings together two branded eyewear wholesalers with complementary strengths, creating a stronger organization to better meet the needs of retailers in all channels throughout the Americas market, the companies said. In conjunction with the acquisition, Mondottica has retained Dan Bliss, president of SD Eyes, to manage the independent eyecare practice (ECP) channel in North America.

The team of long-standing industry partners managing Mondottica USA, including Ken Liming, chief executive officer, and Dawn Fischer, SVP corporate accounts, are joined by the SD Eyes team, headed by Bliss and Dave Lewis, sales manager. SD Eyes will continue to operate as a separate, wholly owned subsidiary of Mondottica. Beginning in January, SD Eyes reps will begin to carry additional Mondottica brands to increase service and support to ECPs. The current Mondottica Independent Sales team will continue in their current capacity in current markets serviced. In time, SD Eyes will take on responsibility for fully managing the Independent optical channel, the company said.

Liming said, “I am happy to welcome Dan to the management team as we rethink, reimagine and reinvent Mondottica USA. SD Eyes has built a significant sales, marketing and support team that has well serviced the ECP channel for more than 40 years. Mondottica USA has historically been strong in corporate and key account management. Prior to this acquisition, we have previously partnered with SD Eyes to grow ECP sales for Pepe Jeans. Building upon this foundation—with the introduction of Hackett, which is from the same stable of AWWG brand in Madrid, as we continue to build our brand portfolio by enhancing service and support as well as increasing brand awareness in the Americas. We look forward to working closely with Dan, the existing SD Eyes team and the existing Mondottica team, as we build the company together and we are ‘Better together.’”

Bliss said, “I am happy to join Mondottica USA at the most exciting time in Mondottica’s history. Utilizing SD Eyes operations and sales teams, we ready for incremental growth with Mondottica’s brand portfolio. I am honored to be a part of it.”