Eyeglass maker Luxottica closes Winnipeg plant

WINNIPEG – Luxottica, the world’s biggest eyewear manufacturer, is closing its Winnipeg manufacturing plant.

Luxottica, which manufactures brands such as Oakley and Ray-Ban and owns retailers such as Lenscrafters, Pearle Vision and Sunglass Hut, will close its Winnipeg lens manufacturing plant on Thursday, a spokeswoman said.

The work presently done in Winnipeg will move to the U.S., she said.

“Luxottica regularly reviews in-store labs and manufacturing facilities to drive efficiency and maximize resources across its manufacturing network,” a statement from the company says. “As a result of the most recent review, Luxottica has made the difficult decision to close its Winnipeg manufacturing facility.”

The company is providing support programs to employees who are being laid off, the statement said.

Luxottica Optical Manufacturing at 1108 St. James St. in Winnipeg is an ophthalmic laboratory that produced lenses for the Canadian market. The building also houses a secondary distribution centre that will also close.

Glasses will continue to be distributed through a partner in Toronto and from U.S. facilities, the spokesperson said. The Winnipeg plant was Luxottica’s only Canadian facility.