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Maui Jim

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Maui Jim
Company typePrivately held company
IndustryFashion, manufacturing
FoundedLahaina, Hawaii, U.S. (1980)[1]
FounderJim Richards
Headquarters
Peoria, Illinois
,
U.S.
Key people
Walter Hester, CEO
Mike Dalton, President
ProductsSunglasses, eyewear, apparel
OwnerKering (2022-present)
Websitemauijim.com

Maui Jim is an American sunglasses manufacturer based in Peoria, Illinois.[2]

Founded in Lahaina, Hawaii, in 1980, the company designs, develops, and manufactures a wide variety of sunglasses marketed under the eponymous brand name. As of 2015, it was the third-largest producer of sunglasses in the world.[1]

In October 2022, Maui Jim was acquired by Kering.[3]

History

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The company's roots began in 1980 when a fisherman began selling sunglasses on the beaches of Maui, Hawaii.[1][4] He was known as the original "Maui Jim".[1] Several years later, the company developed polarized sunglasses to protect eyes from glare and ultraviolet rays.

In 1991, Walter Hester, a boat captain, purchased the company and built the brand to what it is today.[4] He named the company Hester Enterprises, Inc.[5]

In 1994, Illinois-based RLI Vision became the mainland distributor for the company, then called Maui Jim Sunglasses.[1]

In 1996, Maui Jim Sunglasses bought RLI Vision from its parent company, Peoria, Illinois-based RLI Corp., and named the new combined entity Maui Jim Inc.[6] The transaction was structured such that RLI Corp became a major shareholder in Maui Jim, and the company moved its headquarters to Peoria.[4] The company kept an office in Maui.[7]

In 2004, the company opened a distribution center in Braunschweig, Germany, a location that eventually became its European headquarters.[8]

In June 2006, the company opened its first prescription lab in Peoria, IL.[9]

In 2011, the company bought Zeal Optics, a Boulder, Colorado-based designer and manufacturer of action-sport polarized goggles and sunglasses.[10][11]

By 2015, the company had approximately 500 employees.[1] Also in 2015, the company became the title sponsor of college basketball's Maui Invitational Tournament.[12]

In March 2018, the company started selling optical eyeglasses.[13] In July, the company opened its first prescription lab outside of Peoria, located at its European headquarters in Braunschweig.[8]

In March 2022, it was announced the company had been acquired by Kering Eyewear.[14] RLI sold their remaining shares in Maui Jim in 2022.[15][16][17][18][19] The acquisition was completed in October 2022.[20][21][22][23]

Products

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As of 2016, the company sold 125 different styles of polarized sunglasses in over 100 countries.[24][25] In addition to their non-prescription sports and fashion sunglasses, Maui Jim also produces prescription lenses for their designs including progressive lenses.[4][13]

The company's glasses incorporate a patented polarization technology called PolarizedPlus2.[26]

Locations

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Besides its Peoria headquarters, Maui Jim maintains an office and store front in Lahaina, Hawaii, a Canadian office in Mississauga, Ontario, and a European headquarters in Braunschweig, Germany.[7][8][27]

Sponsorships

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The company sponsors college basketball's Maui Invitational Tournament, called the Maui Jim Maui Invitational.[12] The company also sponsors the Australian Sailing Team,[28] professional marathoner Meb Keflezighi, golfer Ernie Els, and kiteboarder Dave Shah, who are brand ambassadors.[29][30]

Maui Jim is also the official eyewear partner/sponsor to an American based Formula One team, Haas F1 Team. [31][32]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Extra: For Maui Jim, one simple word says it all — aloha". pjstar.com. 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2018-10-10.
  2. ^ "Company Overview of RLI Vision Corp". Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  3. ^ "Kering Eyewear completes the acquisition of Maui Jim". GlobeNewswire. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  4. ^ a b c d Jargon, Julie (2005-12-05). "Do baby boomers equal bright future?". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  5. ^ "Company Overview of Maui Jim, Inc". bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  6. ^ "Maui Jim buys RLI Vision". bizjournals.com. 1996-12-18. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  7. ^ a b "Maui Jim Sunglasses is passionate about giving back". lahainanews.com. 2014-01-23. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  8. ^ a b c "Maui Jim acquires Zeal Optics". visionmonday.com. 2018-07-05. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  9. ^ "Optical Lab Leaders: Tech Titan: Paul Ponder". opticallabproducts.com. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  10. ^ "Sunday BIZ: Zeal President John Sanchez On Building An Uncommon Brand". adventuresportsnetwork.com. 2012-11-24. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  11. ^ "Maui Jim Enhances Service to Europe With New Lab in Germany". snewsnet.com. 2011-05-06. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  12. ^ a b Eleni Gill, Lorin (2015-03-11). "Maui Jim is title sponsor of Maui Invitational basketball tournament". bizjournals.com. American City Business Journals. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  13. ^ a b "Cult sunglass brand Maui Jim gets into eyeglasses". fastcompany.com. 2015-03-11. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  14. ^ "Kering Eyewear acquires Hawaiian eyewear brand Maui Jim". The Moodie Davitt Report. 2022-03-14. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  15. ^ "Share Purchase Agreement with Respect to Sale of Shares in Maui | RLI Corp. | Business Contracts | Justia". contracts.justia.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  16. ^ "Item_101_MJ_Agreement". www.sec.gov. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  17. ^ "RLI REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2023 RESULTS". www.sec.gov. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  18. ^ "RLI sells stake in eyewear firm Maui Jim for $500mn". Insurance Insider US. 2022-03-14. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  19. ^ "Rli Corp (RLI-N) Quote - Press Release". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  20. ^ Spencer, Mimosa (2022-03-14). "Kering boosts eyewear division with Maui Jim label". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  21. ^ "Kering Eyewear Completes Acquisition of Maui Jim". www.visionmonday.com. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  22. ^ "It's Official: Maui Jim Acquired by Kering Eyewear". INVISIONMAG.COM. 2022-10-04. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  23. ^ Young, Kimberley (2022-03-20). "Kering Eyewear acquires Maui Jim". www.aop.org.uk. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
  24. ^ "Top Vendors in the Global Sunglasses Market". technavio.com. 2016-08-24. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  25. ^ "Tarter: Aloha spirit goes hand-in-hand with sales growth". eastpeoriatimescourier.com. 2015-03-13. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  26. ^ "Maui Jim retains status as Best Sunglass Company". dfnionline.com. 2016-01-13. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  27. ^ "Maui Jim Canada, Inc". manta.com. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  28. ^ "Partners". Australian Sailing Team Partners. Australian Sailing. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  29. ^ "Meb Keflezighi Is Running the NYC Marathon—But Will He Make a Run for the Tokyo Olympics?". runnersworld.com. 2018-10-08. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  30. ^ "Maui Jim". ernieels.com. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  31. ^ "Official Eyewear Partner of Haas F1 Team". mauijim.com. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  32. ^ "Haas F1 Maui Jim". haasf1team.com. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
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