Specsavers breaks ground on £7 million expansion project

Specsavers breaks ground on £7 million expansion project

AN EXPANSION that will see £7 million invested at one of the sites of Kidderminster’s largest employers has broken ground, with Deputy Mayor of Kidderminster, Councillor Shazu Miah, in attendance.

Councillor Miah joined members of the Vision Labs team, one of three Specsavers manufacturing and distribution sites in Kidderminster, to celebrate the start of work on an extension that will be constructed between the two existing buildings. Berrys are the project architects while Matrix IDC has been appointed as the main contractor, with the work taking the total building size from 6,319 to 7,544m².

The expanded facility will provide Specsavers colleagues with modern, high-quality communal spaces designed to support wellbeing, collaboration, and day-to-day working experiences. Alongside these enhanced facilities, the site will introduce state-of-the-art technology to streamline manufacturing processes, improve the use of space and help the growing Vision Labs business stay ahead of increasing demand.

‘We were delighted to welcome Councillor Miah to help us mark the start of a project that everyone in the business is excited about and has worked extremely hard to get to this point,’ says Shafi Ahmed, Head of Operations at Vision Labs. ‘The project is a direct result of the ongoing success of Specsavers as demand in the UK continues to increase.

‘Not only will the upgrade boost weekly lens production from 139,000 to 169,000 for the 900+ UK Specsavers practices we supply lenses to, colleagues at the site will also benefit from improved working environments and updated amenities. We will also see a number of environmental benefits, including more efficient use of electricity, reduced water consumption, and a reduction in the site’s overall carbon footprint.’

The project has taken more than two years to get to a detailed, costed design and there will be a 12-month timeline from breaking ground to occupying the new facility.

‘Seeing first-hand how Vision Labs is committed to investing in their facilities and staff was fantastic,’ comments Councillor Miah. ‘It’s clear that there is a huge appetite for continuous improvement and future proofing the business.

‘As a Kidderminster employer demonstrating such passion and vision, I’m extremely proud to know we have a business like that on our doorstep. Thank you to everyone I met and for the guided tour. The facilities as they stand are impressive and I can’t wait to see the building again once work is complete.’

The manufacturing process upgrade will see ground-breaking technology installed that eliminates a number of steps and will deliver more lenses per square metre. The new technology is more automated and requires an up-skilling of the workforce, helping to safeguard employment at the site.

‘We are extremely proud to have been appointed as main contractor for the expansion of Vision Labs’ factory premises in Kidderminster,’ says Russell Gwilliam, Head of Procurement at Matrix IDC. ‘It is always rewarding to work with businesses that are investing in their future, and this project is a clear demonstration of Vision Labs’ continued growth and ambition.

‘At Matrix IDC, we place great importance on delivering projects safely, professionally, and with a strong focus on quality. We look forward to working closely with the Vision Labs team and the wider project team to bring this expansion to a successful completion.’

Tom Fenton, Partner and Head of Architecture at Berrys, adds; ‘The team at Berrys are delighted to have been appointed to provide Architecture, Building Surveying, Civil Engineering, and Planning Consultancy services for this important expansion at Vision Labs in Kidderminster.

‘This is a meaningful project that builds on an established site, with a clear focus on enhancing both operational capacity and the day-to-day working environment for staff.

‘At Berrys, we are committed to delivering practical, well-considered spaces that perform for the people who use them. Our approach has centred on creating a design that works hard, maximising the use of available space, integrating seamlessly with existing buildings, and responding to the evolving needs of the business all within a high-quality environment.

‘Projects like this highlight the importance of investing in the future and reflect Vision Labs’ evolution and ongoing commitment to innovation. We look forward to seeing the project progress and to playing our part in bringing this exciting development to life.’

Alongside Vision Labs, Lens Online and International Glazing Services (IGS) support Specsavers UK optical businesses through lens surfacing, coating and spectacle assembly, as well as the stocking and distribution of lenses, frames and contact lenses.