Hoet on Redefining Eyewear With 3D Printing

The consumer goods industry stands out as one of the primary beneficiaries of additive manufacturing. Within this sector, a notable application involves crafting frames for eyewear, including both sunglasses and prescription glasses. In fact, according to a study published by SmarTech Analysis, the 3D printed glasses market is expected to reach a value of $3.4 billion by 2028. To delve deeper into the operations of companies within this industry, we interviewed one of its key players, bringing you an inside look at the market. Headquartered in Belgium, Hoet is a leading provider of 3D printed eyeglass frames. We sat down with its founder for an in-depth discussion of the company’s operations and to learn more about its activities.

3DN: Could you introduce yourself and tell us your relationship with additive manufacturing?

My name is Bieke Hoet, and I am the owner of Hoet, a Belgium-based design office offering freelance design services for the eyewear industry. I am also the founder of the iconic Hoet Couture and Cabrio eyewear collections. With a passion for innovation, we launched Hoet Couture and Cabrio eyewear in 2014. They are the industry’s first fully 3D printed eyewear collections.

Bieke Hoet

3DN: What is Hoet, and how did the idea of ​​creating the company come about?

Hoet is a family-owned company with a long tradition in the eyewear industry. In fact, I am part of the sixth generation of my family to work in the eyewear industry. Our heritage dates back to 1885, where traces of Hoet retail optics can be found. In 1987, my father was the first Hoet to step out of the comfort zone of optical retail to start creating eyewear. At that time, I was still in school.