Eyewear maker Luxottica closing Winnipeg plant this month
by The Canadian Press
World's largest eyeglass maker said it will close Winnipeg plant May 29; 200 jobs reportedly lost
WINNIPEG—Eyeglass manufacturing giant Luxottica S.p.A. has confirmed it is closing its Winnipeg lens-making operation that serviced a substantial portion of the Canadian market.
The Italy-based company behind such retail banners as LensCrafters, Pearle Vision and Sunglass Hut, among others, and the maker of more than two dozen brands including Ray-Ban, DKNY, Chanel, Prada, Versace and Ralph Lauren, gave few details about the closure in an email response to questions.
“Luxottica regularly reviews in-store labs and manufacturing facilities to drive efficiency and maximize resources across its manufacturing network,” the company said.
“As a result of the most recent review, Luxottica has made the difficult decision to close its Winnipeg manufacturing facility in Canada on May 29, 2014.”
Asked how many employees would lose their jobs, it said that “as a general practice, Luxottica does not disclose numbers regarding associates.”
However, the Winnipeg Free Press put the number at about 200.
Meanwhile, Luxottica said North American operations would continue through its partner distribution facility in Toronto, as well as at facilities in the United States.
