Highmark has completed its acquisition of Viva International Group for an undisclosed amount. Viva International distributes designer eyewear collections including Guess?, Tommy Hilfiger, Gant, Candie's, Harley-Davidson and Catherine Deneuve, and will begin distributing De Rigo's Furla, Fila, Etro, Givenchy, Escada and Ermenegildo Zegna eyewear in North America this year.

It has global distribution capabilities in over 50 countries, maintaining offices and direct sales forces in the UK, France, Germany, Holland, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong and Australia. Contrary to our previous report, it will continue to distribute its own lines in the UK and Spain with the exception of Dollond & Aitchison and General Optica, where their owner, De Rigo, is going to sell them directly.

Meanwhile, Davis Vision, an American retail chain that belongs to Highmark, has won ISO 9001:2000 certification for its four managed care ophthalmic fabrication laboratories, which are located in Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Memphis and Plainview, New York.