EssilorLuxottica’s Technology Centre in Sydney fulfilled lens orders for 431 practices during the busy November December trading period, enabling practices to receive patient orders within compressed timeframes and complete dispensing before year end.
According to the company, this was achieved thanks to local manufacturing, combined with the faster delivery service provided by Essilor Express*.
Local manufacturing… allows for closer quality oversight, faster turnaround when volumes spike, and, importantly, continued investment in Australian skills, technology and employment
End-of-year demand presents ongoing challenges for optometrists, including increased appointment volumes, reduced flexibility for delays, and heightened patient expectations around turnaround times. When delivery timelines extend, practices risk unfinished orders carrying into January, additional follow-up appointments, and patient dissatisfaction.
According to EssilorLuxottica, local production and prioritised dispatch through Essilor Express helped practices manage these pressures by maintaining more consistent delivery timelines during the busiest period of the year.
“We understand November and December are among the most operationally intense months for practices,” said Cyril Conquet, ANZ Operations Director, EssilorLuxottica. “Having manufacturing capability based in Australia allowed EssilorLuxottica to respond quickly to the increased demand and support practices in delivering eyewear to patients before the end of the year.”
Local Manufacturing
A large proportion of Essilor lenses supplied to the Australian market are now manufactured locally at the Essilor Technology Centre in Silverwater, New South Wales, which integrates advanced surfacing, glazing capability, coating and quality control processes. The Essilor Technology Centre is a licensed user of the Australian Made logo.
Industry analysts note that domestic manufacturing can provide greater supply chain resilience, improved responsiveness during demand surges, and reduced exposure to international logistics disruptions,¹ particularly considering the widespread supply chain instability and increased shipping freight costs experienced over the past five years during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Local manufacturing is not just about speed,” said Mr Conquet. “It allows for closer quality oversight, faster turnaround when volumes spike, and, importantly, continued investment in Australian skills, technology and employment.”
For independent practices, access to locally manufactured lenses and accelerated delivery during high-volume periods may offer tangible operational benefits too. These include improved appointment scheduling and greater confidence in meeting patient expectations.
Research has shown that extended delays between examination and dispensing can negatively influence patient satisfaction and perceived quality of care.2 Services such as Essilor Express that help minimise these delays may, therefore, support both clinical and business outcomes.
References
- Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources. Australia’s Supply Chain Resilience Initiative. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2023. pp. 6–14.
- Rosenfield M, Logan N, editors. Optometry: Science, Techniques and Clinical Management. 2nd ed. 2016. Chapter 1, pp. 3–10.
