Founded in Germany in 1877, it is the world's leading manufacturer of lenses and frames, and has won the Red Dot Award for its one-piece double hinge, enjoying an excellent reputation for lenses
Rodenstar was born in Würzburg, Germany. In 1877, a traveling merchant named Josef Rodenstrand moved to Würzburg, Germany, where he began manufacturing and selling barometers, precision balances and measuring instruments, and in 1878 the company further began the research and production of lenses and frames.
Joseph Rodenstead has always believed that visual impairment is not a disease and can be corrected with the right glasses. So, in 1880, he launched the world's first "coated lens", which immediately became an instant seller.
After that, he further registered more national patents, including lenses specifically produced for refracting telescopes. Although Rodenstein eyewear is expensive, it is able to match the wearer's individual needs seamlessly compared to traditional glasses.
As early as 1882, Rodenstead products were exported to Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy and Russia. In 1883 the company moved to Munich. Joseph Rodenstr purchased a new site near a tributary of the Isa River, the company's current base, which at the beginning of 1886 was still part of the out-of-town area. At that time, the existing residential buildings were converted into handicraft laboratories for the manufacture of spectacle lenses, binoculars, camera lenses and optometric equipment.
Camera lenses and lenses are two important pillars of the company's operations. Rodenster leveraged the profits from these two businesses to further expand the company's scale.
In 1898, a farm on the outskirts of Fabalia Reagan was transformed and expanded into a production base for lenses and optical lenses. Subsequently, more manufacturing plants were established near the Reagan District; However, during the Great Depression, these factories were forced to close. Only the Reagan plant maintains Rodenstead's leading position in the production and development of lenses, which today is a well-known center for lens craftsmanship and design.
Restructuring and development of the company
In 2002, in order to adapt to the capital market, Rodenstead took the first step by restructuring the company from a sole family proprietorship to a limited liability company. In June 2003, Pamela Equity Investment LLC joined the company as the first non-family financial investor. IN MARCH 2007, BRIDGEPOINT, A EUROPEAN HOLDING COMPANY, TOOK OVER PAMELA'S STAKE IN RODENSIDE.
As an international company, Rodenste has made substantial progress in its competitiveness with modern financing methods.
Over the past few years, Rodenstead has focused on developing its core business – the research and design of eyewear, including the development, manufacture and sale of lenses, frames, as well as sports glasses and sunglasses. At that time, the company had already detached itself from the activities of the edge field of scientific optics (precision optics) and optical instruments and mechanical devices of the eye.
Investments in lens innovation and advanced research and development have led to the creation of the unique Rodenstar and Porsche frame collections, as well as the opening of new production sites and sales subsidiaries in Germany and around the world.
Thanks to its extensive expertise in lenses and frames, Rodenste is the only brand in the global optometry industry that offers "complete spectacles" (frames and lenses) to those who wear glasses.
In 2010, Rodenstead generated sales of 360 million euros.
