Evolution is inevitable in any industry, and the Canadian optical industry is no different. In the past few years, consolidation and competition have increased. Many of the ophthalmic labs used by clinics and retailers have made the decision to move their manufacturing from domestic to international.

Following its acquisition of Allied Lab in 2008, in 2015, FYidoctors moved its lab into a new state-of-the-art facility located in Delta, British Columbia. Since then, FYidoctors has grown significantly; today the lab is manufacturing an impressive 12,000 to 13,000 pairs of glasses per week. In the past three years alone, approximately $10 million have been invested in the facility, becoming a true differentiating factor for FYidoctors. Under one roof, the lab manufactures the highest quality lenses and coatings using the newest and most innovative technologies available.

We met with Nancy Morison, Vice President of the Delta Ophthalmic Laboratory. An industry veteran, Nancy is leading FYidoctors’ Delta team and building a culture of excellence to ensure our patients and clients receive the highest quality glasses in the Canadian market. 

What differentiates FYidoctors and the contribution of the Delta Lab?

‘’First, we are a fully vertically-integrated company, and we are still here in Canada! By this, I mean that many competitors are now producing lenses offshore, and many other labs have scaled down in recent years. It became increasingly popular to manufacture in China, India, and Thailand, among other places, to decrease costs. We produce approximately 2,500 pairs of custom glasses per day, and we are open 6 days a week, 24 hours per day.’’

“We also use the highest quality materials, coatings, and machinery and have developed profound expertise in supply chain optimization. Whether it is for our exclusive frame line, Sacori, or for more than our 3,000 frame selection, our lens quality sets us apart and showcases the excellence of our products.’’

‘’Lastly, we invest in technology: it is part of our DNA. Today, we have been told that we are the most technologically advanced optical lab in Canada. Why? We are choosing not to offshore manufacturing internationally and instead are make significant technology investments in our own backyard at Delta to be highly competitive in the Canadian marketplace. Having leading technologies and an optimized supply chain in our own house allows our organization to be highly efficient on labour and shipping/importing costs.’’

In the past three years, the investments in the Delta lab have been significant; what are the technologies you are using? 

‘’We are not using only one technology, but we are using all the best technologies available to us, giving us the capability to produce the best product. We have a unique approach: we pick leading technologies, suppliers, raw materials, and designs, from Schneider generators and polishers to Satisloh coatings, processes and chambers and MEI edging equipment, to full software integration from clinic to lab to key partners. Combined, this ensures cost efficiency, amazing products and outstanding service for our clinics and stores and ultimately our patients.’’

FYidoctors has a robust, healthy culture, and it seems that you were able to create an excellent work environment at Delta. Can you tell us more?

‘’The FYi culture is very much based on coaching: we share our knowledge and insights daily with our teammates. We have a very cohesive group that enjoys helping and working closely together. Our coaching culture and mindset are very different from other manufacturing and distribution environments that I have seen. We care about the product, the quality, and choose to make ourselves available to allow the success of our operations. We have also seen tremendous growth powered by our ever-expanding clinic network and our supply chain investments. As I like to say, growth builds optimism, and optimism and continuous improvement are key to our culture. ‘’

Seven facts about Delta Lab:

• Allied Lab Founded in 2001
• Acquired in 2008 by FYidoctors
• New advanced facility opened in 2015
• 12,000 to 13,000 pairs of glasses made per week 
• 220 employees
• 104,000 lenses manufactured per month
• $10M invested in improvements since 2019

Source: FYidoctors

Marchon Eyewear announced a new collaboration with Eastman, a global specialty materials company. Marchon will be the first global eyewear company to use Eastman’s Tritan Renew for both frames and tinted lenses in the same eyewear in their sunwear collections across their broad portfolio of prestigious fashion, lifestyle, and sport brands.

Tritan Renew is a sustainable copolyester material powered by Eastman polyester renewal technology, a molecular recycling technology that transforms hard-to-recycle single-use waste into its basic building blocks so that they can be used to recreate pristine, durable, and high-performance materials, offsetting the use of fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

By adopting Tritan Renew for frames and tinted lenses applications, Marchon will be maintaining their commitment to sustainability bringing key benefits to consumers.

• Creating new life for old waste- By using as much as 50% certified recycled content*, Tritan Renew reduces landfill scrap, while lowering greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel usage compared to traditional materials, creating a circular production process.
• Sustainability without compromise- Tritan Renew is indistinguishable from virgin, fossil-based materials, assuring wearers of the same durable, high-quality, superior frames and lenses they expect from Marchon Eyewear. In addition, lenses made with Tritan Renew are compatible with a wide variety of frames including those made from acetate.

“We are very proud to build on our partnership and continued collaboration with Eastman,” said Nicola Zotta, President and CEO of Marchon Eyewear, Inc. “With Tritan Renew, we are able to offer customers more sustainable options in eyewear, without compromising the quality of our frames and lenses.”

As reported in Optik NOW, in the Fall of 2020, Marchon and Eastman announced their partnership using Eastman’s Acetate Renew, a fully sustainable material produced via carbon renewal technology, another of Eastman’s innovative molecular recycling technologies. Acetate Renew is made from 60% bio-based content and 40% certified recycled content and is currently available in Marchon’s Salvatore Ferragamo Responsible Eyewear Collection.  

“We are delighted to see our partnership with Marchon growing with the introduction of Tritan Renew, including its use for frames and lenses in the same eyewear.” said Glenn Goldman, Commercial Director, Eastman Specialty Plastics. “By adopting Tritan Renew for frames and lenses after having successfully launched collections in Acetate Renew, Marchon is scaling up their impact and showing real leadership in sustainability for the eyewear industry.”

Beginning in 2023, Marchon will produce sunglasses and ophthalmic frames and tinted lenses with Eastman’s Tritan Renew, further asserting Marchon’s commitment to social responsibility and bringing more sustainable practices to the eyewear industry.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Etnia Barcelona presents “Dream”, the new campaign for the launch of its FW22 Collection.
The campaign is sophisticated and brimming over with glamour. Blocks of top-quality
acetate combine vibrant colours to create a provocative look.

Featured model: Braganza

Distributed by: www.etniabarcelona.com

EssilorLuxottica and the Armani Group announced the renewal of their licensing agreement for the development, production and worldwide distribution of eyewear under the Giorgio Armani, Giorgio Armani Privé, Emporio Armani, EA7 Emporio Armani and A|X Armani Exchange brands. The existing agreement, which took effect on January 1, 2013, and expires on December 31, 2022, has been renewed for 15 years, effective January 1, 2023.

The shared history of EssilorLuxottica and The Armani Group dates back to 1988, when Luxottica’s founder and late Chairman Leonardo Del Vecchio teamed up with Armani’s founder and Chairman Giorgio Armani to bring Armani-branded glasses to the global market. This move is widely seen as the start of a revolution that changed the way consumers used their glasses, evolving them from a necessary medical device into a fashion accessory and a symbol of personal style.

“The relationship with EssilorLuxottica has been a cornerstone of my path, born from personal and professional esteem, which has led to challenging choices. Such an important renewal is the confirmation of a mutual loyalty that makes me proud and that will lead to further, important innovations,” said Giorgio Armani.

“Leonardo Del Vecchio saw in Giorgio Armani a fellow entrepreneur with a shared passion for quality and innovation, and we are excited to continue on the journey they started,” said Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO of EssilorLuxottica. 

Click HERE for the full press release.