Specsavers to invest £5M in UK facility expansion to boost lens production

Specsavers announces a £5 million investment to expand its Vision Labs facility in Kidderminster, boosting production capacity and implementing cutting-edge technology to meet growing demand. The upgrade will also bring environmental and employee benefits as part of the company’s long-term commitment to its UK operations

Specsavers, the British optical retailer, has announced a significant investment in its UK supply chain operations.

The investment will fund the expansion and upgrade of Specsavers’ Vision Labs manufacturing facility in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, which produces prescription lenses for more than 900 Specsavers stores throughout the UK.

The expansion will unlock additional capacity and see the site’s production increase incrementally from 140,000 to more than 200,000 lenses per week upon completion.

The major upgrade – with a planned investment of £5 million over a two year period – will see the rollout of new, state-of-the-art technology that will streamline the manufacturing process, making better use of space and materials to enable Specsavers to meet, and get ahead of, rising demand across its growing UK business.

The upgrade is also expected to result in a number of environmental benefits, including more efficient use of electricity, reduced water consumption and a reduction in the site’s overall carbon footprint. Colleagues at the site will also benefit from improved working environments and updated amenities.

Lee Timbrell, Director of European Manufacturing and Distribution Operations at Specsavers, comments: “Today’s announcement is an important milestone for Vision Labs and marks an exciting new chapter for the site and its 350-strong team, who work tirelessly to provide the very best service to our stores throughout the UK.

“This investment is a commitment to them, to our customers and to the future of Specsavers in the UK.”

Robert Elliot, Director of Business Engagement and Policy, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, comments: “Specsavers has a long and proud history in Worcestershire, and we’re delighted to see the business make such a substantial investment in its operations here in Kidderminster.

“This is a real vote of confidence in the local economy and workforce, and we look forward to continued close collaboration with Specsavers as they deliver this exciting next phase of growth.”

This article was originally published by 9am Business and is reproduced here as part of The European Digital Content Exchange Network, a collaborative initiative that shares editorial expertise and quality, original journalism between established media outlets.

Main image: Courtesy, Specsavers