Raen forms Raen Europe to grow market beyond France and Germany

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
Aug 1, 2018

Raen is expanding directly in Europe with the formation of a new European division, Raen Optics GmbH, or Raen Europe. Christian Grund, founder of Raen’s former European eyewear distributor, Eyegents, will lead the region.

“With the [growth of the business in the US and Europe], it only made sense to identify the ideal partner to build our infrastructure in Europe," said Jeff Fitzhugh, CEO of the California-based Raen. The two share Southern California eyewear roots dating back to their time as coworkers at Oakley.

Grund will be tasked with leading sales, marketing, distribution and operations for France and Germany. As the brand grows, Raen Europe will bring its business into a more vertically streamlined system. Raen Europe will house a distribution facility that will ultimately serve the entire European market, including countries beyond France and Germany, which are currently managed through Raen's distribution network.

Justin Heit, Raen founder and creative director said the brand's "design language in combination with an appreciation for independent, authentic, quality brands has resonated really well in the European market. We are just beginning to realize our potential.”

Grund will report to Raen's Vice President of Sales, Scott Chantos.

Raen was founded in Oceanside, CA in 2010. The eyewear company remains independent, where it focuses its resources on making handmade frames in a variety of modern silhouettes.

Currently, Raen is sold in Europe at over a thousand locations through distribution partnerships in France and Germany.