NEW YORK and HONG KONG—Mondottica International Ltd., a Hong Kong- based eyewear company, underwent changes in ownership at the end of December 2021. The Mondottica substantial shareholders are now Capital Eyes Holding and Ferdinand Menrad Holding GmbH. Ross Holdings, a New Jersey-based investment company owned by industry veteran Harvey Ross, founder of Viva International Group and Mondottica USA, is no longer a shareholder and Ross stepped down as a director as of Dec. 31, 2021, according to an announcement from the company.

Menrad is a German-based optical company in the business of designing, manufacturing, and wholesaling frames and sunglasses worldwide. Capital Eyes Holding is a long-established Asia-based investment company involved in high-end eyewear manufacturing and other accessories.
 
The new ownership structure of Mondottica International Ltd. consolidates the position of the two significant shareholders, the announcement added, noting that Mondottica USA is now a 100 percent subsidiary of the Group. "This  further sets Mondottica toward its long-term goal of a full integration," the announcement added. No other details of the transaction were disclosed.



Ken Liming (l) and Dan Blessing.
In addition to the changes made in the international eyewear company, New Jersey-based Mondottica USA has restructured its leadership team. In conjunction with the recent ownership changes, chairman of Mondottica USA, Eberhard Mueller-Menrad, has appointed industry veterans Ken Liming as chief executive officer and Dan Blessing as chief commercial officer to oversee the transformation of Mondottica USA.

Before his appointment as CEO, Liming held the position of chief operating officer at Mondottica USA, appointed in September 2020. He previously held similar roles at Kering Eyewear as chief operating officer for the Americas where his efforts helped to establish Kering’s operations in the U.S. He also held the position of senior vice president of operations for Marcolin USA and Viva International Group for 25 years.

Prior to joining Mondottica USA, Blessing held positions in management for LensCrafters, Rosin Eyecare and Luxottica Wholesale. Most recently, he worked as director of sales for Marcolin.

“I am very happy and pleased to rethink, reimagine and reinvent Mondottica USA and have installed two trusted veterans to facilitate this transformation”, stated Mueller-Menrad. “Under new ownership and with our experienced team, Mondottica USA is set to continue its track record for growth.”

Liming noted, “We’re excited to continue the transition of Mondottica USA started in 2020, and we look forward to continuing our recent track record of meeting the expectations of our customers and the board of directors alike. We’re very happy to be working with Dan Blessing again, a commercial executive with impeccable credentials and we’re ready to work closely with Dan and the existing Mondottica team of industry veterans as we build the company together.”

Blessing noted, “I am happy to be joining Mondottica USA at the most exciting time in Mondottica’s history. Since the new ownership changes at Mondottica USA, we are now poised for incremental growth. I am honored to have the chance to be a part of it.”

Established in 2010, Mondottica USA, based in Warren, N.J., distributes fashion brands throughout the Americas. Collections include Anna Sui, Benetton, Bloom, Christian Lacroix, Gizmo Kids, Hackett, Joules, Karen Millen, Pepe Jeans, Sandro, and Scotch & Soda.