PADUA, Italy —Following Safilo Group's (SFLG.MI) previous communications about the potential sale and future of its Longarone, Italy factory, the company stated yesterday that "the minutes of the agreements were signed  by Safilo, Regione Veneto and trade union representatives. Thanks to the  involvement of the social parties, Regione Veneto and all institutions, the agreement calls for the relocation of all Longarone employees to Thélios Eyewear, a division of LVMH, and Innovatek, owned by Carlos Fulchir." Safilo Group said it "will now proceed, together with all the involved parties, with the management of the final stages for the completion of the deal."

Safilo declined further comment but local Italian news reports stated that the Longarone facility in the Belluno region, would involve the transfer of 450 employees, some of whom will go to Thélios and another group of workers to Innovatek, a new company founded by the Friulian entrepreneur Fulchir. The transition would happen over a period of time, as yet not officially confirmed.

Fulchir is an Italian entrepreneur linked to multiple companies, including Italian eyewear producer iVision Eyewear. On Oct. 1, 2020, iVision Tech took over the Safilo factory in Martignacco, along with over 150 workers with 20 years of experience in the eyewear industry, as VMAIL reported in July.

Safilo Group referenced its intentions to explore options for its Longarone facility back in March 2023, when the company reported that its board confirmed the company's 2022 fiscal results, as VMAIL reported.