PORT CHESTER, N.Y.—Christopher and James Shyer, owners and co-CEOs of Zyloware, announced that company turns 100 years old today, January 26, 2023. The Zyloware family, which extends beyond the Shyers to its employees, partners, friends, and the optical industry, will be invited to celebrate “a century of helping people see a beautiful day every day” throughout 2023 with a series of events to mark this milestone. Zyloware was incorporated as a business in New York State on January 26, 1923.

The company became one of the first manufacturers of zyl frames and continues to be recognized as a trusted voice in the optical industry, providing frames to millions of people worldwide each year. The Shyer family’s values have been central to Zyloware since its founding. Laid out by Henry Shyer, those values include “Never taking success for granted, treating employees and partners as family, listening intently, filling consumers’ vision and critical needs and working to make our industry partners successful.”

Jamie Shyer said, “My dad always put a premium on relationships and the human connection—Henry’s legacy was about his relationships with our customers and friends. I feel many of our competitors followed suit, and our industry was molded based upon how my father did business.”

 
Throughout its 100 years in business, Zyloware has continued to push boundaries and bring new products and brands to the market. Bob and Henry Shyer introduced the Invincible in in the 1960s; in the 70s and 80s, the company became the first licensee for eyewear of an American fashion designer (Gloria Vanderbilt), the first licensee of a celebrity collection (Sophia Loren) and the first licensee of a men’s eyewear brand (Stetson). All three remain in Zyloware’s top selling brands today.

In an industry of such monumental change over the past century, Zyloware’s focus has never wavered from their commitment to innovate and change. Chris and Jamie at the helm have kept the company evolving, most notably with their addition of edgy fashion eyewear for men by Randy Jackson who made wearing glasses cool every night on American Idol.

The company is now home to several leading fashion collections for women with Via Spiga, Leon Max and Halston, launched in 2022, as well as men’s designer eyewear by Shaquille O’Neal and sports safety Shaq Eye Gear. Recently, Zyloware introduced Daisy Fuentes to its collections and will be debuting CEV, a designer collection from Pro-Bowl, NFL Linebacker Jaylon Smith at Vision Expo East this March.





Zyloware is devoted to the eyewear industry with a mission to help optical business thrive globally. The company said they are doing this by expanding their expertise to address the recent changes in the optical marketplace and preparing for the future evolution of eyewear. Zyloware continues to pioneer with unique consumer-driven social media strategies and training assets for its retailers, creating customer-exclusive licensed brands, and expanding private label collections.

In addition, Zyloware has invested heavily in supply chain and quality control to keep frames in stock and have their best-sellers available to customers at all times. Chris Shyer said, “We have built a company of experts in marketing, supply chain, quality control and development enabling us to supply millions of frames annually to our customers in 17 countries across the world.”

In a statement, Zyloware said, “Celebrating 100 years of business really is something we are proud of. We welcome everyone into our Zyloware family, inviting you to join us in celebration of what we have achieved the past 100 years, and what will be an even better 100 to come.”