Looking at labs: Staying ahead of the game

Optician last visited Dunelm Optical’s multi-purpose facility in Spennymoor, County Durham, back in 2012. On that occasion general manager Graham Carter, when asked about the future of the lab, envisaged the adoption of freeform as the next step forward.

Returning at the start of 2017, Dunelm has made good on this plan thanks to significant investment in the relevant machinery over the past two years, over which time period staff have worked successfully to integrate and optimise its use.

‘The demand for freeform made the investment necessary,’ says Carter. ‘Surfacing technology has changed dramatically compared to glazing technology in recent times. The development of different lens designs and the machinery needed to do them becoming more affordable has allowed us to make sure we are not reliant on big companies.