Specsavers has begun a £7 million expansion of its Kidderminster Vision Labs manufacturing site. This investment will see weekly lens output increase by 22%, while adding space for new automated technology and delivering improved facilities for staff.
Announced at a ceremony attended by the Deputy Mayor of Kidderminster, Councillor Shazu Miah, work is now under way on two existing buildings at Vision Labs – one of three Specsavers manufacturing and distribution facilities in the town. When complete, the total building size will grow from 6,319 to 7,544m², and weekly lens production will rise from 139,000 to 169,000 units – helping to support the 900+ UK Specsavers stores that are supplied from the site.
New production technology will eliminate several steps in the current manufacturing process, increasing lens yield per square metre and requiring an up-skilling of the existing workforce. The expansion will also deliver more efficient electricity use, reduced water consumption and a lower overall carbon footprint for the site.
Shafi Ahmed, head of operations at Vision Labs, commented: “This expansion is a direct result of growing demand for Specsavers’ services in the UK. With bigger sites and better technology, we are strongly positioned to continue to deliver quality eye care to communities across the UK.”
