Latest News Safilo Reinforces Its Presence in Northern Europe and Opens a Showroom in Stockholm By Staff Wednesday, October 26, 2016 12:27 AM STOCKHOLM—Safilo Group [SFLG.IM] reinforced its presence in Northern Europe with the creation of a new business region combining the U.K. and Ireland with the Nordic countries of Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, the Baltics and Iceland. The new Northern region will be led by Fréderic Laffort, adding to his responsibility as Safilo U.K. country manager and global departments store channel leader, according to an announcement from the company. The establishment of the Northern region represents a further step in Safilo’s 2020 Strategic Plan, which aims to broaden its geographic coverage through consistent, high quality commercial capabilities to approach the market successfully with its growing multi-segment broad portfolio, the company said.“North becomes one of Safilo's most important markets in Western Europe, enabling us to lead here with strong tailor-made and impactful customer and consumer plans, and drive market share growth,” said Joanna Onland, recently appointed chief commercial officer for Western Europe and global key accounts and member of the Group's executive committee. She noted that Safilo will focus on the Polaroid, Carrera and Smith brands in the Northern region. The opening of the Stockholm showroom—one of the more than 20 worldwide showrooms that follows the latest openings in London, Zurich, Hong Kong, Dubai and Mexico City—demonstrates the Group's focus and commitment to the Nordic markets, and its investment in nurturing and further developing its long standing customer partnerships across the Nordic countries, Safilo said. During the past weeks, Safilo has announced further developments in its brand portfolio. Following the renewal of Jimmy Choo earlier this year, the global license agreement with Max Mara Group was renewed in advance to 2023. A new license agreement was signed with Moschino and Love Moschino from 2018 to 2025. Safilo Group also announced the acquisition of the full interest in Lenti, its fourth plant in Italy in addition to Ormoz/Slovenia, Souzhou/China and Clearfield-Utah/USA.