LVMH, in collaboration with Marcolin, is significantly enhancing its eyewear production capabilities by establishing a second factory in Italy. This strategic move is poised to boost LVMH’s annual production to over 4.5 million pairs of glasses upon the full operation of the new facility.
The inauguration of the first Thélios factory at the foothills of the Dolomites in Italy back in April 2018 marked the beginning of a new era for LVMH and Marcolin. The joint venture aimed to bring eyewear manufacturing in-house, breaking away from the conventional licensing model. With the first factory’s capacity to manufacture up to 1.5 million pairs annually, the upcoming second plant is anticipated to triple this figure, primarily focusing on prototyping.
The construction of the second factory kicked off recently, with plans to become operational by the fourth quarter of 2020. The combined workforce of both facilities is expected to grow substantially, ranging between 600 and 700 employees, in stark contrast to the 120 currently on staff. This expansion underscores LVMH’s unwavering dedication to maintaining top-notch quality across its eyewear offerings, meticulously overseeing every step of the production process.
Following Thélios’ takeover of Celine eyewear production, the brand has experienced a surge in revenue compared to its Safilo-licensed era, despite being available in fewer outlets. The success story of Celine’s eyewear collaboration with Thélios opens up prospects for similar partnerships with other prestigious labels under the LVMH umbrella.
As Dior’s eyewear license agreement with Safilo reaches its conclusion in 2020, speculation abounds regarding the potential transition to Thélios for manufacturing. With Dior boasting the highest eyewear volumes and value within LVMH, a partnership with Thélios could pave the way for mutual benefits and synergies between the two entities.
Thélios represents a joint venture between LVMH, holding a majority stake of 51%, and Marcolin, renowned as the third-largest eyewear producer in the industry. This strategic collaboration showcases LVMH’s resolute commitment to strengthening its eyewear capabilities and ensuring impeccable product quality throughout its esteemed portfolio.
To learn more about LVMH’s expansion in the eyewear industry and its collaborations, visit LVMH and Marcolin.
