Maui Jim
{{short description|Sunglasses company}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Maui Jim
| logo = Maui Jim logo.png
| image = Maui Jim Peoria 20231117 0001.jpg
| image_caption = Headquarters in Peoria, Illinois
| type = Privately held company
| foundation = Lahaina, Hawaii, U.S. (1980){{cite web|url=https://www.pjstar.com/article/20150923/business/150929755 |title=Extra: For Maui Jim, one simple word says it all — aloha |website=pjstar.com |date=2015-09-23 |accessdate=2018-10-10}}
| founder = Jim Richards
| location_city = Peoria, Illinois
| location_country = U.S.
| key_people = Walter Hester, CEO
Mike Dalton, President
| owner = Kering (2022-present)
| industry = Fashion, manufacturing
| products = Sunglasses, eyewear, apparel
| homepage = {{URL|mauijim.com}}
}}
Maui Jim is an American sunglasses manufacturer based in Peoria, Illinois.{{cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=21919643|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519200040/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=21919643|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 19, 2009|title=Company Overview of RLI Vision Corp.|work=Bloomberg Businessweek|accessdate=2018-11-08}}
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.
In October 2022, Maui Jim was acquired by Kering.{{Cite news|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/10/03/2526493/0/en/Kering-Eyewear-completes-the-acquisition-of-Maui-Jim.html/|title=Kering Eyewear completes the acquisition of Maui Jim|work=GlobeNewswire|access-date=2022-12-12|language=en-US}}
History
The company's roots began in 1980 when a fisherman began selling sunglasses on the beaches of Maui, Hawaii.{{cite web |title=Do baby boomers equal bright future?|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20051203/ISSUE01/100024932/do-baby-boomers-equal-bright-future|work=Crain's Chicago Business |date=2005-12-05 |accessdate=2018-11-08 | first=Julie | last=Jargon}} He was known as the original "Maui Jim". 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. He named the company Hester Enterprises, Inc.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=246821352 |title=Company Overview of Maui Jim, Inc. |website=bloomberg.com |date= |accessdate=2018-11-08}}
In 1994, Illinois-based RLI Vision became the mainland distributor for the company, then called Maui Jim Sunglasses.
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/1996/12/16/daily6.html|title=Maui Jim buys RLI Vision |website=bizjournals.com |date=1996-12-18 |accessdate=2018-11-08}} The transaction was structured such that RLI Corp became a major shareholder in Maui Jim, and the company moved its headquarters to Peoria. The company kept an office in Maui.{{cite web|url=http://www.lahainanews.com/page/content.detail/id/530127/Maui-Jim-Sunglasses-is-passionate-about-giving-back.html|title=Maui Jim Sunglasses is passionate about giving back |website=lahainanews.com |date=2014-01-23 |accessdate=2018-11-08}}
In 2004, the company opened a distribution center in Braunschweig, Germany, a location that eventually became its European headquarters.{{cite web|url=http://mobile.visionmonday.com/article/maui-jim-enhances-service-to-europe-with-new-lab-in-germany/ |title=Maui Jim acquires Zeal Optics |website=visionmonday.com |date=2018-07-05 |accessdate=2018-11-08}}
In June 2006, the company opened its first prescription lab in Peoria, IL.{{cite web|url=https://opticallabproducts.com/optical-lab-leaders-tech-titan-paul-ponder/|title=Optical Lab Leaders: Tech Titan: Paul Ponder |website=opticallabproducts.com |date= |accessdate=2018-11-08}}
In 2011, the company bought Zeal Optics, a Boulder, Colorado-based designer and manufacturer of action-sport polarized goggles and sunglasses.{{cite web|url=https://www.adventuresportsnetwork.com/transworld-business/sunday-biz-zeals-presidents-strategy-for-building-an-uncommon-brand/ |title=Sunday BIZ: Zeal President John Sanchez On Building An Uncommon Brand|website=adventuresportsnetwork.com|date=2012-11-24 |accessdate=2018-11-08}}{{cite web|url=https://www.snewsnet.com/news/maui-jim-acquires-zeal-optics |title=Maui Jim Enhances Service to Europe With New Lab in Germany|website=snewsnet.com |date=2011-05-06 |accessdate=2018-11-08}}
By 2015, the company had approximately 500 employees. Also in 2015, the company became the title sponsor of college basketball's Maui Invitational Tournament.{{cite web|last1=Eleni Gill|first1=Lorin|title=Maui Jim is title sponsor of Maui Invitational basketball tournament|url= http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2015/03/11/maui-jim-is-title-sponsor-of-maui-invitational.html |website= bizjournals.com |publisher=American City Business Journals|date=2015-03-11|accessdate=2018-11-08 }}
In March 2018, the company started selling optical eyeglasses.{{cite web|url= https://www.fastcompany.com/40539142/cult-sunglass-brand-maui-jim-gets-into-eyeglasses |title=Cult sunglass brand Maui Jim gets into eyeglasses|website= fastcompany.com |date=2015-03-11|accessdate=2018-11-08 }} In July, the company opened its first prescription lab outside of Peoria, located at its European headquarters in Braunschweig.
In March 2022, it was announced the company had been acquired by Kering Eyewear.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-14 |title=Kering Eyewear acquires Hawaiian eyewear brand Maui Jim |url=https://www.moodiedavittreport.com/kering-eyewear-acquires-hawaiian-eyewear-brand-maui-jim/ |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=The Moodie Davitt Report |language=en-GB}} RLI sold their remaining shares in Maui Jim in 2022.{{Cite web |title=Share Purchase Agreement with Respect to Sale of Shares in Maui {{!}} RLI Corp. {{!}} Business Contracts {{!}} Justia |url=https://contracts.justia.com/companies/rli-corp-1134/contract/236340/ |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=contracts.justia.com}}{{Cite web |title=Item_101_MJ_Agreement |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/84246/000008424618000050/rli-20180815ex101d58dc2.htm |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=www.sec.gov}}{{Cite web |title=RLI REPORTS THIRD QUARTER 2023 RESULTS |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/84246/000155837023016626/rli-20231023xex99d1.htm |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=www.sec.gov}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-14 |title=RLI sells stake in eyewear firm Maui Jim for $500mn |url=https://insuranceinsiderus.com/article/29u2oifdux3u1dpfxunls/rli-sells-stake-in-eyewear-firm-maui-jim-for-500mn |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=Insurance Insider US |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=Rli Corp (RLI-N) Quote - Press Release |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/stocks/RLI/pressreleases/7593626/ |access-date=2023-11-21}} The acquisition was completed in October 2022.{{Cite news |last=Spencer |first=Mimosa |date=2022-03-14 |title=Kering boosts eyewear division with Maui Jim label |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/kering-boosts-eyewear-division-with-maui-jim-label-2022-03-14/ |access-date=2023-11-21}}{{Cite web |last= |title=Kering Eyewear Completes Acquisition of Maui Jim |url=http://www.visionmonday.com/business/article/kering-eyewear-completes-acquisition-of-maui-jim/ |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=www.visionmonday.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-10-04 |title=It’s Official: Maui Jim Acquired by Kering Eyewear |url=https://invisionmag.com/kering-eyewear-completes-the-acquisition-of-maui-jim/ |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=INVISIONMAG.COM |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Kimberley |date=2022-03-20 |title=Kering Eyewear acquires Maui Jim |url=https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/industry/eyewear-and-lenses/2022/03/20/kering-eyewear-acquires-maui-jim |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=www.aop.org.uk |language=en}}
Products
As of 2016, the company sold 125 different styles of polarized sunglasses in over 100 countries.{{cite web|url=https://www.technavio.com/blog/top-vendors-global-sunglasses-market |title=Top Vendors in the Global Sunglasses Market |website=technavio.com |date=2016-08-24 |accessdate=2018-11-08}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eastpeoriatimescourier.com/article/20150313/business/150319594 |title=Tarter: Aloha spirit goes hand-in-hand with sales growth |website=eastpeoriatimescourier.com |date=2015-03-13 |accessdate=2018-11-08}} In addition to their non-prescription sports and fashion sunglasses, Maui Jim also produces prescription lenses for their designs including progressive lenses.
The company's glasses incorporate a patented polarization technology called PolarizedPlus2.{{cite web|url=https://www.dfnionline.com/latest-news/events/maui-jim-retains-status-best-sunglass-company-13-01-2016/ |title=Maui Jim retains status as Best Sunglass Company |website=dfnionline.com |date=2016-01-13 |accessdate=2018-11-08}}
Locations
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.manta.com/ic/mt6t6w4/ca/maui-jim-canada-inc |title=Maui Jim Canada, Inc|website=manta.com |date= |accessdate=2018-11-08}}
Sponsorships
The company sponsors college basketball's Maui Invitational Tournament, called the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. The company also sponsors the Australian Sailing Team,{{cite web |url=https://www.australiansailingteam.com.au/partners/ |website=Australian Sailing Team Partners |publisher=Australian Sailing |accessdate=1 May 2020|title=Partners }} professional marathoner Meb Keflezighi, golfer Ernie Els, and kiteboarder Dave Shah, who are brand ambassadors.{{cite web|url=https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a23610977/meb-keflezighi-nyc-marathon-olympic-team/ |title=Meb Keflezighi Is Running the NYC Marathon—But Will He Make a Run for the Tokyo Olympics? |website=runnersworld.com |date=2018-10-08 |accessdate=2018-11-08}}{{cite web|url=https://ernieels.com/sponsor-maui-jim/ |title=Maui Jim |website=ernieels.com |date= |accessdate=2018-11-08}}
In 2021, Maui Jim became the official eyewear partner/sponsor to an American based Formula One team, Haas F1 Team. {{cite web|url=https://www.mauijim.com/MY/en_GB/haas-f1-team |title=Official Eyewear Partner of Haas F1 Team |website=mauijim.com |accessdate=2023-01-14}}{{cite web|url=https://www.haasf1team.com/partners/maui-jim/ |title=Haas F1 Maui Jim |website=haasf1team.com |accessdate=2023-01-14}}
In 2025, Maui Jim became the official eyewear for the Red Bull Racing F1 team in a multi-year sponsorship agreement.{{cite web|url=https://www.blackbookmotorsport.com/news/red-bull-f1-maui-jim-sunglasses-sponsorship-january-2025/ |title=Red Bull Add Maui Jim as F1 Eyewear Sponsor |website=blackbookmotorsport.com |accessdate=2025-02-02}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}