Luxottica Group, S.p.A. (LUX)

QUALITY: A KEY ASSET

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 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.

In 2006, research and development projects in both manufacturing processes and materials continued and included collaboration with major Italian universities. In the field of materials, the focus was on the problem of degradability (“sfogliature”) of injection molded plastic and how to significantly reduce waste by optimizing molding parameters. Research to achieve higher uniformity in sun lens tinting followed two paths: collaboration with suppliers and the University of Venice in order to develop a special colorable lacquer and the use of advanced high-pressure injection molding.