ESSILOR
178 has developed a robust digital backbone linking its ecosystem of production sites , prescription labs and distribution centres with over 350,000 customers , to its lens design , ordering and fulfillment systems . It ’ s a highly data-driven operation , requiring millions of rapid digital exchanges between customers and every part of the value chain from receiving prescriptions and fitting details to sending manufacturing instructions to a lab . To ensure optimal speed , performance and reliability , Essilor has migrated certain steps as cloud-based services , for example , a powerful calculator capable of generating lens designs to the more advanced personalized measures linked to the Group ’ s latest Varilux ® X series™ progressive lenses . Essilor is already exploring the future of data-driven manufacturing with the creation of a concept Lab 4.0 at its Dallas campus , as well as exploring how artificial intelligence , machine learning , and collaborative robots can improve planning , production , and customer service .
The secret behind Essilor ’ s explosive growth lies in its commitment to R & D , with more than € 200mn dedicated each year to research and innovation . This allows the firm to offer exclusive products that distinguish it from its competitors , but with swathes of
“ Essentially , the supply will be doubled , the external logistics will be doubled and we ’ ll also have two different systems and organisations that needs to be combined ”
— Vladimir Zhirnov , Global Sourcing and Procurement Director of Supply Chain & Transport at Essilor
FEBRUARY 2019