Claudio Gottardi

MELVILLE, N.Y.—Claudio Gottardi has been appointed president of Marchon and CEO of Marchon International. In his new role, Gottardi will have responsibility for the company’s brand management, marketing, design, product development, new business development and the company’s international business outside the Western hemisphere, the company said.

Gottardi will report directly to Al Berg, Marchon’s chief executive officer. Continuing in their current roles, reporting to Berg, will be Larry Roth, executive vice president Western hemisphere sales and Marty Fox, chief operating officer.

Prior to Marchon, Gottardi was with the Sàfilo Group (SFL.MI) for 23 years, serving in a range of executive positions including co-CEO of Sàfilo Group and CEO of Sàfilo USA and Solstice Marketing, Sàfilo’s retail sunglass chain. He left Sàfilo at the end of last year.

“Claudio has an enviable record of success in the optical business,” stated Berg. “His industry relationships and experience in all of the major aspects of the eyewear business will help us expand our business globally. I’m very excited about working with Claudio in the coming years to continue Marchon’s growth.”

Berg told VMail that Gottardi would be based here at Marchon’s Melville, N.Y. headquarters “but he will also be spending time abroad in his international role.”

The addition of Gottardi, the announcement said, “will allow Berg to focus more on Marchon’s long-term strategy and the development of new ways to support Marchon’s global customer base.” Stated Rob Lynch, CEO of VSP, Marchon’s parent company, “We’re very pleased that Claudio is joining the VSP family. He is clearly a leader in the global optical industry. His skills and experience will be invaluable, particularly in increasing Marchon’s business internationally.”

Gottardi, who has a degree in electronic engineering and a minor in economics from the University of Padova in Italy, said, “I’m proud to be joining one of the great eyewear companies in the world. Marchon is known for its innovation and dedication to quality, superior customer service and strong marketing programs. I look forward to working with the entire Marchon team to build upon their success.”

Marchon has regional headquarters in Amsterdam, Hong Kong and Tokyo and distributes its products through numerous local sales offices serving customers in a network of 100 countries. They market eyewear and sunwear under a portfolio of brands which include Calvin Klein, ck, Coach, Disney, Emilio Pucci, Fendi, Flexon, Jil Sander, Karl Lagerfeld, Marchon, Michael Kors, Nautica, Nike and Sean John.