LensCrafters 2007 Annual Report Download - page 47

> 46 | ANNUAL REPORT 2007
Thanks to these activities, the Group has improved its capacity to plan new collection launches. The
product department has precise knowledge of the engineering department’s capacity to make new
models for a given season and can more effectively coordinate its selection and launching of new
collections, also with external stylists and using either internal production or external sourcing.
In recent years, modelling has showed an increasing preference for plastic temples, even in metal
models. As a result, plastic temples have gradually become more elaborate, with metal or micro-
forged decorations, rhinestone and other increasingly diverse and sophisticated materials (mother-
of-pearl, straw, leather, etc.). In some cases the temple is the richest and most expensive part of the
model, becoming a sort of “product within the product”. This has led the Group to more and more
external sourcing of temples, in terms of both manufacturing and ornamentation.
Research & development of both processes and materials continued throughout the year. A group
of engineers was formed to work exclusively on research and a series of projects were launched in
collaboration with major Italian universities.
On the process front, research focused mainly on the automation of certain key phases in
production and on identifying machinery employing new technology capable of delivering improved
quality, process consistency and reduction of material losses; for example, new molds for lens
production at Lauriano, new pantographs for acetate production at Sedico, robot systems to apply
rhinestones, new lasers for cut-outs and brushing, new digital prints for logo application, etc.
Materials research activities continued along the following lines:
•improvement of quality in general to reduce production waste;
•application of nano-technology in surface finishing processes for metals and polymers to solve
problems such as the degradability (“stratification”) of injection molded plastic;
•use of nano-technology (MIM and micro-forging) in processes that enrich materials and improve
mechanical and aesthetic product characteristics.
QUALITY
Product quality has always been Luxottica’s main focus and has led to the integration of every
phase of production. Quality is the critical factor in the premium and luxury segments for both
wholesale customers and end consumers. Quality and process control teams regularly inspect
semi-finished products during the various phases of production: verifying the feasibility of a
prototype in the design phase, controlling standards across the spectrum of products during the
production phase, and subsequently checking for resistance to wear and tear and reviewing optical
properties in relation to type of use.
The manufacturing processes and materials used by primary suppliers are also controlled and
certified. Thanks to ongoing verification of precision and expertise in all phases of production, the
quality of the Group’s end product is always of the highest level. The effectiveness of this quality
system is reflected by both the relationship of trust that the Group enjoys with independent optical
store operators, both large and small, and the low levels of returns.
ANTI-COUNTERFEITING POLICY
Luxottica Group believes that the most effective strategy to counter the widespread phenomenon
of counterfeit goods is to attack it at the source. Luxottica has therefore decided to limit action