LensCrafters 2011 Annual Report Download - page 28

28 ANNUAL REVIEW 2011
The manufacturing process for both metal and plastic frames begins with the fabrication
of precision tooling and molds based on prototypes developed by in-house designers and
engineering staff. The Group seeks to use its manufacturing capacity to reduce the lead
time for product development and thereby adapt quickly to market trends and contain
production costs, as well as maintaining smaller and more efficient production runs, so as
to better respond to the varying needs of different markets.
The manufacturing process for metal frames has approximately 70 phases, beginning
with the production of basic components such as rims, temples and bridges, which are
produced through a molding process. These components are then welded together to
form frames over numerous stages of detailed assembly work. Once assembled, the metal
frames are treated with various coatings to improve their resistance and finish, and then
prepared for lens fitting and packaging.
Plastic frames are manufactured using either a milling process or injection molding. In the
milling process, a computer-controlled machine carves frames from colored plastic sheets.
This process produces rims, temples and bridges that are then assembled, finished and
packaged. In the injection molding process, plastic resins are liquefied and injected into
molds. The plastic parts are then assembled, coated, finished and packaged.
the entire control of production leads to the creation of new technologies through re-
search which leads to greater efficiencies and revenues. The resulting growth in turn in-
creases investments and research.
Luxottica engages in research and development activities relating to its manufacturing
processes on an on-going basis. As a result, Luxottica has invested and will continue to in-
vest in automation and innovative technologies, thus increasing efficiency while improving
quality. Luxottica utilizes third-party manufacturers to produce Oakley apparel, footwear,
watches, and certain goggles.
The “Made in Italy” feature of Luxottica products represents a
Quality is judged on a global scale and assumes a highly strategic role. It is the underlying
principle applied in every process involved in creating eyewear and is the drive behind
the continual improvement of products and processes. A key objective is to develop the
people behind the products, from design experts to system experts. The focus on quality
has thus become a system in itself and the system covers the entire organization: quality
is applied to product development, procurement, distribution, operational analysis and
uniform and measurable performance management in the plants.
In a market as competitive and global as eyewear, the satisfaction of wholesale clients and
retail consumers is without a doubt a primary and indispensable objective. At Luxottica,
QUALITY
CONTROL
฀฀฀฀฀฀With฀the฀vertical฀integration฀of฀the฀
production฀system,฀a฀virtuous฀cycle฀begins:
“culture฀of฀quality”฀that฀is฀
central฀to฀the฀entire฀organization.฀