Rising labour costs in China hit frame pricing

Frame companies at Optrafair warned that rising labour and raw material costs in China and Korea would lead to frame price increases, with many of the companies having shouldered the costs to date.

Speaking at the show, Robin Totterman, CEO of Inspecs said there had been a 30 per cent rise in costs alone in the past year, particularly affecting high quality product from the Shenzhen region of China. 'A currency appreciation, coupled with increased labour costs, energy costs and shipping have led to the biggest increase in costs I have experienced since entering the industry, some 25 years ago. It has been horrendous. Up until now we have taken the hit.'