Specsavers has begun a £7m expansion of its Vision Labs manufacturing site in Kidderminster, increasing weekly lens production capacity by 22% as demand for eye care services continues to grow across the UK.
Work is now under way on two existing buildings at the facility, one of three manufacturing and distribution sites operated by the company in the town. Once completed, the site’s total footprint will increase from 6,319m² to 7,544m², while weekly lens output will rise from 139,000 to 169,000 units.
The investment was formally announced during a ceremony attended by the Deputy Mayor of Kidderminster, Shazu Miah.
The expansion is designed to support the more than 900 UK Specsavers stores supplied by the site, while also modernising manufacturing operations through the introduction of new automated production technology.
According to the company, the upgraded systems will remove several stages from the current manufacturing process, improving production efficiency and increasing lens yield per square metre. The changes will also require the up-skilling of the existing workforce as more advanced manufacturing technologies are introduced.
Alongside the productivity gains, Specsavers said the project will deliver environmental benefits including more efficient electricity use, lower water consumption and a reduced overall carbon footprint for the site.
“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.”
– Shafi Ahmed, Head of Operations at Vision Labs.
The investment marks another boost for UK advanced manufacturing, with automation and sustainability continuing to shape expansion plans across the sector.
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