Up to 50 jobs could be lost at Essilor's Thornbury manufacturing facility near Bristol as the company focuses on investing in digital surfacing technology and the creation of a UK Centre of Excellence.
Senior management entered a consultation period with workers and staff representatives on June 11 over a proposal to turn the Thornbury site from a traditional surfacing laboratory into a digital surfacing platform that will focus on the manufacturer's high end brands and lens products such as the Varilux S Series.
Essilor UK & Ireland group HR director Michael Doolin said many of the 50 staff whose jobs were at risk were on fixed term or agency-based contracts. In addition, he said up to half could take voluntary redundancy and that it was hoped compulsory redundancies would be kept to a minimum. Staff reductions were planned to be finalised by July 31, but certain roles could remain until the end of the year.
'The decision is unfortunate but it also means a huge investment in the site from Essilor France and will result in new technology and new machinery being put in place. It's a real sign of confidence in Thornbury,' added Doolin.
Mike Kirkley, Essilor UK & Ireland managing director, said: 'I firmly believe that this investment reinforces our commitment to fully supporting the independent channel. Through our business partnership programme we work very closely with our customers and by investing in a Centre of Excellence we are fully equipped to meet all of their needs for the future.'