Rudy Project has announced a new step in its international development: starting from February 2026, the brand has acquired the entire ownership of Rudy Project North America L.P., the exclusive distributor of the brand. Through this operation, the Italian brand will operate directly in the US market. Established in 1998 and based in San Clemente (California), Rudy Project North America was born from the initiative of a group of investors from the optical and sports world, who believed in the brand’s potential since the early stages of development in the North American market. 
“After consolidating direct control of the main European markets, integrating the most strategic foreign market for our business represented a natural evolution“, commented Cristiano Barbazza, CEO of Rudy Project. “The United States is one of the most relevant, stimulating, and at the same time competitive sports markets in the world: a context that requires speed, vision, and the ability to innovate continuously. That’s why we have developed an ambitious multi-year investment plan, designed to structurally support growth and strengthen our presence in the US market“.
Brad Shapiro, principal and co-founder of Rudy Project North America, stated: “After managing Rudy Project North America as an independent company for 25 years, this was the right time to reunite with Rudy Project S.p.A., the parent company, which has the long-term vision and resources to maintain the quality and growth of the brand in North America“.
