Wingram is dedicated to developing eco-friendly materials. Two years ago, we launched BioAcetate S70 – a biobased and biodegradable material which is primarily applied in the production of sustainable eyewear products. The material has been certified by reputable third-party institutions. Through our first-time participation in the Hong Kong International Optical Fair, we want to introduce this new eco-friendly material and concept to eyewear manufacturers and brand owners. Sustainability has become a key trend in different industries and the optical industry is no exception. We have received positive feedback from eyewear manufacturers and brand owners coming from different places such as Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Mainland China, Thailand and Mauritius. Five to six new buyers from India, Japan, Italy, Korea and Mainland China will place orders for our BioAcetate S70 material after the fair and we have found a reliable optical manufacturer to produce finished products for them. The Hong Kong International Optical Fair is a highly effective platform for us to look for new business opportunities. We’ll participate in the fair again next year.
Kenny Cheung
General Manager
Solos Technology Limited
Hong Kong
Solos is showcasing the latest collection AirGo™ 3 AI smart glasses that combine ChatGPT and wearable tech at the Hong Kong International Optical Fair. Our smart glasses come with ChatGPT/OpenAI capability for voice search, translation and texting and provide clear phone calls and directional stereo speakers. With our modular temples and AirGo™ 3 smart eyewear technology, optical manufacturers can produce their own smart glasses of different shapes, sizes, colours or materials. At the fair, we are looking for optical manufacturers who are interested in adopting our smart eyewear technology and distributors who can promote and sell our smart glasses to different parts of the world. Buyer traffic has been heavy. We have been very busy introducing our smart eyewear technology to new buyers mainly coming from Asia and Europe. We have received favourable responses. We have found potential distributors from Asia and Europe and potential buyers who are optical manufacturers from Hong Kong and Mainland China. More than 20 buyers from all over the world bought our samples and we expect new orders to come after they have tested our products. Separately, about four to five brand owners from Europe, Japan and Korea are in discussion with us to explore cross-over cooperation. We’ll have follow-up meetings with them after the fair. The fair’s results have exceeded our expectation.
Ryuichi Yamada
Head of Overseas Business Department
Excel Optical Corporation
Japan
Fukui Prefecture produces about 95% of all optical frames in Japan. In business for 55 years, Excel Optical Corporation is one of the Fukui optical frame manufacturers exhibiting in the Japan Village organised by Fukui Optical Association at this year’s Hong Kong International Optical Fair. We are here for the second time to showcase newly-designed metal frames and metal/plastic combi frames. We are exporting to Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan and the US. As we have exclusive distributors in Hong Kong and Mainland China, we are keen to look for exclusive distributors in other markets. We met with new buyers mainly from Hong Kong and Mainland China on the first day of the fair. A new buyer and an existing customer already placed orders for our optical frames. We met more buyers from Europe, Southeast Asia and the US on the second and third days of the fair. In view of favourable responses from buyers and good buyer traffic, we’ll definitely return to the fair next year.
Germano Costan
Sales Manager
I.O.V.E.S s.p.a.
Italy
Founded in 1950, I.O.V.E.S designs and produces optical frames and sunglasses in Italy for our three in-house brands and for international brands. Our products are sold in Africa, Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, South America and the US. This is our third time exhibiting under the Italian pavilion at the Hong Kong fair to find new customers in the Far East. More buyers from the Far East have visited our booth this year. We have found potential buyers from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Myanmar and Vietnam. Existing customers from Myanmar and Vietnam have placed onsite orders for our products. We are happy with the fair’s results and we’ll come back next year.
Gloria Lin (Left)
Marketing & Sales Director
Chengyi Optical Co., Ltd.
Mainland China
Apart from providing OEM and ODM service, Chengyi has two own brands namely Parim and Outdo and owns the licence to produce and distribute Mini optical frames in Asia. We have been participating in the fair for 28 years. The fair provides a perfect platform for us to develop overseas markets. At this year’s fair, we have met with many new buyers mainly from Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam as well as some buyers from Europe and the US.More than 10 new buyers from Egypt, India, Indonesia the Middle East, Russia, Sri Lanka and Singapore have expressed their intention to place orders for our branded products. We have also got in touch with some quality buyers through the HKTDC’s Click2Match platform. The launch of the Scan2Match feature makes it easier for buyers to bookmark our company in the HKTDC Marketplace App.
Gao Feng
CEO
Guangzhou Zhuohao Technology Co Ltd
Mainland China
“Dedicated to developing innovative products, we launched smart eyewear equipped with Bluetooth earphone features in 2019. We offer more than 30 different models of smart optical frames, smart sunglasses and smart sports eyewear which come with nice designs and great sound quality. Currently, we have distributors in Brazil, India, Italy, Japan, the Philippines and the US. We are exhibiting at the Hong Kong International Optical Fair for the first time to introduce our latest models to more optical buyers from different parts of the world. We have connected with new buyers from Australia, Brazil, Chile, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, South Africa and Thailand who are very interested in our smart eyewear. We’ll send samples to them and keep in touch with them to develop new business.
Simon S. M. Lee
Business Development Manager
Arts Optical Company Limited
Hong Kong
Arts Optical Company Limited, a public-listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, is a long-term supporter of the Hong Kong International Optical Fair. At this year’s fair, we have set up a 240-square-metre custom-made booth to promote our new collections under Stepper Origin, Stepper Spirit, Stepper Kids and Stepper Essentials as well as the Stepper x Huawei smart eyewear collection. As smart eyewear will be the next big trend, Stepper and Huawei have crossover collaboration to develop smart eyewear. The smart eyewear collection features Stepper’s stylish frame designs and lets you enjoy listening to music while keeping your ears free and aware of your surroundings and answer hands-free calls. Buyers from Mainland China and Southeast Asian countries such as Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are very interested in this smart eyewear collection. We have also found potential distributors from India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia for Stepper eyewear.
Eric Shih
Director
United Creation Optical Co., Ltd (UCO)
Hong Kong
Founded in 2001, UCO produces high-quality optical frames in its factories in Dongguan and Yingtan, Mainland China. In January 2023, we decided to set up a new factory in Cambodia to expand our production capacity. Three years ago, we launched eco-friendly optical frames by using recycled metal or recycled nylon. We participate in the Hong Kong International Optical Fair every year to promote our new products. At this year’s fair, we are showcasing our new 3D printing technology and equipment that can produce custom-made one-of-a-kind optical frames to meet consumer tastes. Buyers from Hong Kong, Europe, Korea and the US are very interested in our 3D printing technology. We are also displaying the prototypes of our smart glasses at the fair which have received good feedback from buyers.
Otis Ku
Chairman & Managing Director
Sun Hing Vision Group Holdings Limited
Hong Kong
Established in 1999, 101 Studio Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Hing Vision Group Holdings Limited, is a leader in the design, production and distribution of high-quality optical frames and sunglasses for renowned brands including agnes b., New Balance and Jill Stuart. The Hong Kong International Optical Fair provides a good opportunity for us to promote our brands to industry players from all over the world and network with our existing customers and suppliers. To coincide with the fair, we organise a gathering at which we share our new marketing plans and concepts with our existing distributors and also exchange the latest market information. At this year’s optical fair, we have found potential distributors from Asia. We also want to develop emerging markets such as Africa and South America. Due to an ageing global population, the demand for optical frames continues to increase. We see a bright prospect for the optical industry.
Marc Lefebvre
Group CEO
KILLINE Group
Macau
Established in 1979 in France as an acetate frame manufacturer, KILLINE is now a leading eyewear player with plants in Mainland China and Vietnam. We offer all options of biodegradable, bio-based or recycled for acetate, metal, as well as injection frames. During the 17-year invested in our sustainable approach, we have been seeing an evolution in the appetite for eco-friendly products, packaging and consumables. KILLINE has been exhibiting at the Hong Kong International Optical Fair for the past 20 years. Our main goals are to meet in one place with our key worldwide partners and prospects to discuss business in progress, as well as our vision for the future. The Hong Kong fair this year has been particularly vibrant and dynamic, as we connected again with our existing buyers and built new opportunities with new contacts. It is always so good in a more-and-more virtual world to meet face-to-face with real people and share ideas and common future.”
Buyers’ Quotes
Ryan Ho
Optometrist & Director
Asia Contacts 1 Pty Ltd
Australia
Based in Melbourne, our company is an eyewear distributor serving 150 accounts in Australia and New Zealand. The Hong Kong International Optical Fair is one of my favourite fairs. I notice that there are more international brands and quality brands from Mainland China as well as a lot of innovations at this year’s fair. I have already bought a sample set worth US$8,000 from an Italian eyewear brand and another sample set worth US$5,000 from an eco-friendly and biodegradable eyewear brand originated from Mainland China. Due to climate change, consumers in Australia and New Zealand prefer eco-friendly products that help save the environment. The new eco-friendly eyewear brand from Mainland China can meet the needs of customers. I have also placed an order for myopia control frames worth US$7,500 with one of my existing suppliers. Scan2Match allows buyers to scan exhibitor QR codes and bookmark exhibitor information easily in the HKTDC Marketplace App and this new feature cannot be found in other optical fairs in the world.
Roberto Basile Neto
Director
Vista Import
Brazil
In business for 15 years, Vista Import is an eyewear importer, distributor and wholesaler in Brazil, offering optical frames for kids and teenagers, sports eyewear and acetate frames. This is my seventh time visiting the Hong Kong International Optical Fair. The Hong Kong fair is the best place for me to see new products and new designs and have face-to-face meetings with real manufacturers. I have found three to four potential suppliers of kids’ frames, sports frames, acetate frames and titanium frames from Hong Kong and Mainland China through the HKTDC’s Click2Match service before coming. I’ll place orders with three new suppliers for 20,000 pairs of sports frames, 20,000 pairs of unbreakable sports frames for kids and 10,000 pairs of optical frames for kids and teenagers. The new Scan2Match function is perfect because I can keep exhibitor information in the HKTDC Marketplace App after scanning exhibitor QR codes for future business discussions.
Cristian Hurtado
Project Manager
Grey Sunglasses
Spain
Grey Sunglasses is a Spanish importer of sunglasses and sells to large fashion retailers in Europe. This is my fourth time visiting the Hong Kong fair. I like this fair because many sunglasses suppliers from Mainland China are exhibiting here. The HKTDC’s Click2Match service is excellent. I have found 10 potential suppliers of sunglasses and five potential suppliers of optical cases through the business matching meetings. I’ll buy samples of sunglasses first and present them to my clients in my showroom. If they like the designs, I’ll place an order for 1,500 pieces per model. At the fair, I have already placed an order with one of my existing suppliers for US$50,000 worth of sunglasses. Eco-friendly sunglasses using recycled acetate and optical cases made from recycled PU or recycled microfiber represent 50% of our sales turnover because European consumers support environmental protection and sustainability. The new Scan2Match feature allows me to add favourite exhibitors to the HKTDC Marketplace App for future reference.
Martin Zahuranec
Founder & CEO
eyerim
Slovakia Republic
In business for eight years, eyerim is an eyewear e-tailer operating in 12 countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). We opened our first physical store in the Slovakia Republic this year and we’ll open more physical stores in CEE. This is my second time visiting the Hong Kong International Optical Fair. I can see more European companies participating in this year’s fair. The HKTDC’s Click2Match platform provides an effective and efficient way for me to find the right OEM suppliers for my own brands. So far, I have found two potential OEM suppliers of bio-acetate frames and contact lenses with EU certification. I plan to buy 2,000-5,000 pieces of high-quality bio-acetate frames from a Hong Kong manufacturer and 300,000 sets of contact lenses from a Korean supplier. I am also interested in optical frames provided by a Taiwanese supplier. Scan2Match is a paperless initiative that allows me to bookmark exhibitor information in the HKTDC Marketplace App.
Marius Morariu
General Manager
Opticon
Romania
Opticon is a distributor of optical frames and operates 12 optical stores in Romania. Two years ago, we launched two own brands. I am here for the first time to look for OEM manufacturers who can produce high-quality optical frames for our own brands. I have attended six meetings arranged via the HKTDC’s Click2Match platform and identified two potential OEM suppliers from Hong Kong and Mainland China. I plan to buy 5,000 pieces per year from each supplier. Separately, I have already bought stocks from a new supplier from Mainland China and the order size is 500 pieces of titanium optical frames in different styles. I am also interested in eco-friendly optical frames and hope to bring them to our market two to three years later. I find Scan2Match very useful because it is a good way to bookmark the information related to my favourite suppliers in the HKTDC Marketplace App.
Eun Jung Kweon
Managing Director
Luneti Inc.
Korea
Luneti is an importer and wholesaler of kids’ eyewear in Korea. I have visited the Hong Kong International Optical Fair for many times. The HKTDC’s Click2Match platform provides an efficient way to arrange my meetings with suppliers. Through business matching meetings, I have found two potential suppliers from France and Mainland China and I am interested in buying their stocks. For the French supplier, I have chosen five styles for adult frames and I’ll buy 300 pieces per style. For the supplier from Mainland China, I have selected three styles for kids’ sunglasses and optical frames and I’ll buy 300 pieces per style. The new Scan2Match feature allows me to keep suppliers’ information in the HKTDC Marketplace App easily.
Jan Roznovsky
Sales Manager
Pronap Czech Republic s.r.o.
Czech Republic
In business for 20 years, our company sells eyewear under our own brand to retailers and optical stores mainly in Eastern Europe. This is my first time visiting the Hong Kong International Optical Fair, but my father comes here every year. Our main goal is to find acetate sunglasses and accessories such as cases and display stands. Click2Match is a nice tool that helps us to set up meetings with suppliers who can meet my areas of interests. We have found two to three potential suppliers of acetate sunglasses and accessories from Hong Kong and Mainland China through the Click2Match platform. We’ll compare their prices and quality with our existing suppliers. After finding the right supplier of sunglasses, we’ll place an initial order for 400 pieces per style. I really like the new Scan2Match function because it can keep records of my favourite suppliers in the HKTDC Marketplace App. It is important for us to visit the Hong Kong fair because we can meet many suppliers from Mainland China in one place.
Anil Lal
President
Euro Vision International
the US
In business for 29 years, Euro Vision International is an exclusive distributor of branded eyewear especially American brands. Since the physical optical fair is back after the pandemic, I am here to look for new technologies, new licensed brands and OEM suppliers. By using the Click2Match platform, I have just finished face-to-face meetings with six suppliers and found two potential suppliers of kids’ glasses and sports goggles from Mainland China. I’ll probably place an initial order for 300 pieces per model depending on their quality and services. I am particularly interested in kids’ frames which are made from unbreakable plastic because they are more durable. I keep coming to the Hong Kong International Optical Fair every year to get good prices from suppliers because our market is price-driven.
Weerapatt Chawalitmonthien
Head of Customer Service
Vision Ventures Co., Ltd.
Thailand
Vision Ventures is a holding company in Thailand which has five subsidiaries. Two subsidiaries are wholesalers and the other three operate optical stores in our country. Since our business scope covers every customer segment, I am here to look for a wide range of eyewear from budget items to high-end and luxury models as well as new technologies. I have identified three potential suppliers after attending the business matching meetings arranged through the Click2Match platform. I am interested in buying new items such as smart AI try on system for eyewear, and optical pouches and cases made from sustainable materials. Minimum order quantity for pouches and cases is 1,000 pieces. I have collected their catalogues and I’ll discuss with our purchasing team after the fair.
Raymond Mo
President
McCray Optical Supply Inc.
Canada
In business for 40 years, our company is an importer, exporter and wholesaler of optical tools, accessories and eyewear products, and produces tailor-made and hand-made clip-ons in Canada. Our customers include optical stores and distributors in Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US. I visit the Hong Kong International Optical Fair every year to look for new products and new suppliers and also keep in touch with existing suppliers and customers. I am interested in accessories, ultrasonic machines and optical frames offered by three potential suppliers from Hong Kong. Further negotiations will be conducted after the fair. I think sustainable frames will be a big trend with more bioacetate frames coming onto the market.
Van Dut Le (Right)
Managing Director
An Khang Phuc Co., Ltd
Vietnam
As an optical distributor in Vietnam, they specializes in importing and distributing contact lens, high-end eyeglasses and sunglasses brands such as: Chariol, Azzaro, Escada, GiGi Studios, Seiko, Invu, Smarty, V-idol, Simplicity, Parker Phillip etc. Through our business matchings, Mr Van Dut Le has identified lens edging machine (made in Italy) from Meisystem Asia Ltd. (Hong Kong) and placed more than US$92,000worth of order for 1 set of the machine. He has also identified contact lens from Interojo Inc. (Korea, Republic Of) and placed USD40,000 worth of orders for 20,000 pairs.