Latest News Swiss Eyewear Group Opens Italian Subsidiary, Names Kohler Chairman of the Board By Staff Friday, February 7, 2014 12:15 AM ZURICH– The Swiss Eyewear Group AG (SEG), maker of the Invu ultra polarized collection, has announced the establishment of a wholly-owned subsidiary in Italy, Swiss Eyewear Group (Italia) in Varese. Additionally, SEG announced that Benjamin Kohler, former global CEO of Polaroid Eyewear, will be joining the company as chairman of the board of directors later this month. Kohler has over 20 years of international optical industry experience and led the successful global expansion of Polaroid Eyewear. His expertise and know-how will be a driving force in the international development of the Swiss Eyewear Group, according to the company. “The establishment of a subsidiary in the key Italian market is a continuation of our global expansion strategy,” said Kohler. “Serving the large and important Italian optical community directly through Swiss Eyewear Group (Italia) S.r.l. will drive our production and sales volumes resulting in greater economies of scale. We will also have instant sell-out intelligence on our product portfolio enabling us to further develop and tailor the Invu brand as well as our portfolio of licensed brands.” Swiss Eyewear Group (Italia) will be under the leadership of a highly experienced management team, the company said. Ernesto Scotti, former managing director of Polaroid Eyewear Italy, will be the managing director of SEG Italia. Barbara Cocco is also joining the management team as sales director of SEG Italia. She formerly held the position of key account manager for Polaroid Italy.