Oakley Inc.

Oakley, Inc., based in Foothill Ranch, California, makes sport equipment including sunglasses, sports visors, and ski goggles, as well as watches, clothing, bags,backpacks, shoes, prescription glasses, football (American) and hockey eyewear, golf gear and other accessories. Oakley currently holds more than 600 patents for eyewear, materials and performance gear.[2] The main competitors of Oakley are Wiley X, Marchon Eyewear, Safilo, Bushnell, Signature Eyewear, Nike, Reebok, Quiksilver, Rudy Project, Billabong and Adidas.[3]
Contents
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1 History 2 Sponsorship 3 Technical innovation 4 References 5 External links

[edit]History

Oakley was started by Jim Jannard in 1975 in his garage with an initial investment of $300. The name Oakley came from Jannard's dog, an English Setter. Jannard began by selling what he called 'The Oakley Grip' out of the back of his car at motocross events. His motorcycle grips were unlike other grips available at the time, using a patented material known as 'Unobtanium', a unique creation by Jannard. The material is still used to make the earsocks on Oakley glasses, and many of the nose pieces. Oakley went on to produce number plates, gloves, grips, elbow guards, chin guards, and goggles for the BMX and motocross communities. In 1980, Jannard released a pair of goggles called the O-Frame. With the 'Oakley' logo present on the strap, the brand garnered increasing recognition and prominence throughout the sports industry.[4] In 1983 Oakley began selling ski goggles.[3] The first Oakley sunglasses, Factory Pilot Eyeshades, were sport-oriented, resembling goggles. These were followed by the Oakley Frogskin, a casual sunglass style. The company went public in 1995.[5]

Oakley signed a four-year agreement to manufacture eyewear designed by themselves and Fox Racing in September 2004.[6] In 2006, Oakley acquired the Oliver Peoples group, a manufacturer of high-end fashion branded eyewear. On June 21, 2007, Italian group Luxottica announced a plan to merge with Oakley in a cash deal worth $2.1 billion, and the deal was completed on November 15, 2007. Oakley is now in the portfolio of Milan-based Luxottica group, along with other brands such as Ray-Ban, Persol, and Vogue.[7] During the preparations for the ultimately successful rescue of thirty three miners trapped for ten weeks in a Chilean mine in October 2010, a journalist covering the story contacted Oakley about donating sunglasses to the rescue effort, aware that the miners would need eye protection after having spent weeks in darkness. Oakley donated 35 pairs of its Radar sports glasses, fitted with specially selected tints.[8]
[edit]Sponsorship

Oakley maintains a large sports team roster that includes some of the world's top athletes in various sports. A few notable examples include: Valentino Rossi, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Balaram Stack, Shaun White, Ichiro Suzuki, Dorien Walker, Ryan Villopoto, Kerri Walsh, Ricky Carmichael, James "Bubba" Stewart, Gretchen Bleiler, Ian Poulter, Torstein Horgmo, Rory McIlroy, Juan Pablo Montoya, Dario Franchitti, Ryan Sheckler, Janko Tipsarevic, Jordy Smith, Oscar Pistorius, Bob Burnquist, Tony Stewart, Adrin Fernndez, Samantha Stosur, Miguel Cabrera and Lindsey Vonn. Some past notable Oakley athletes include Michael Jordan, David Duval, Jon Olsson, Adam Melling and Eric Koston.
[edit]Technical

innovation

Most of Oakley's technological designs, fashion pieces, gear, etc. were developed with extensive athlete input and testing in the field including extreme conditions.[citation
needed]

Oakley also maintains US Standard Issue, which provides US military and law enforcement eye protection. Oakley M Frame sunglasses are included as part of the US Army Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL), and have been assigned an NSN number for ordering through military supply channels.
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