Maui Jim

Maui Jim
Privately held company[1]
Industry Fashion, manufacturing
Founded Lahaina Hawaii, U.S. (1980)[2]
Headquarters Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Key people
 Jim Richards - Founder
Products Sunglasses, Eyewear, Apparel
Website www.mauijim.com

Maui Jim is an American-based manufacturer of sunglasses founded in Hawaii in 1980 and currently based in Peoria, Illinois.[3] A majority of their lines are marketed with an oceanic and Hawaiian theme. In addition to their non-prescription sports and fashion sunglasses, Maui Jim currently produces prescription lenses for their designs,[4] including progressive lenses. Maui Jim hosts its prescription lab in Peoria.

History

Maui Jim was originally launched by Jim Richards on the hotel pool decks of Maui, Hawaii. The brand was introduced in the mainland US in 1988 via distributorship in Northern California.

Maui Jim originally had its main distribution center in Lahaina, Hawaii, but moved to Peoria after buying RLI Vision, the original vision insurance and vision care products unit of RLI Corp, in December 1996. The transaction was structured such that RLI Corp became a major shareholder in Maui Jim, which has continued to the present.[5]

Retail locations

Maui Jim maintains an office and store front in Lahaina that is open during week days to the public for repairs and retail. A Mississauga, Ontario office in Canada serves as a repair and distribution center. In 2015, the Peoria, Illinois office expanded to include a retail and repairs store.

Awards and honors

In 1999, Forbes Magazine listed Maui Jim among '100 Things Worth Every Penny'.[6]

In 2015 and 2016, Maui Jim was selected as the Best Sunglass Company in Vision Monday and 20/20 magazine's EyeVote Reader's Choice awards.[7]

Products

Maui Jim sunglasses often cost between US$150 and $350,[8] among over 125 different styles of sunglasses.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Maui Jim, Inc". Data.com Connect Company Directory. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  2. ↑ "About Us". Maui Jim. Retrieved 2014-03-04. Maui Jim got its start in 1980 as a small company selling sunglasses on the beach in Lahaina, Hawaii
  3. ↑ "Company Overview of RLI Vision Corp". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  4. ↑ Jargon, Julie (2005-12-05). "Do baby boomers equal bright future?". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved 2014-03-04. Non-prescription Maui Jim sunglasses retail for between $169 and $349, while prescription versions can cost as much as $700 or more.
  5. ↑ Jargon, Julie. "Do Baby Boomers Equal Bright Future?". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  6. ↑ "100 Things Worth Every Penny". Forbes. 1999-10-30.
  7. ↑ "Maui Jim retains status as Best Sunglass Company | DFNI". Duty Free News International - Travel Retail News. Retrieved 2016-01-15.
  8. ↑ Jargon, Julie. "Do Baby Boomers Equal Bright Future?". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-11-03. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
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