Christchurch and Australia-based optical laboratory, CR Surfacing is gearing up for growth with a complete overhaul of its technology and processes to ensure it remains at the cutting edge of lens production in today’s high-tech world.
Linton Dodge, CR Surfacing’s New Zealand general manager, says it’s an exciting time for the company, which has grown significantly in the last year and is banking on growing far more due to recent changes in the industry.
To this end, after months of investigation and deliberation, CR Surfacing has unveiled details of a million-dollar plus investment in its future, with the company installing a new state-of-the-art lens processing manufacturing suite, from German company Schneider, at its headquarters in Melbourne. Dodge, who went to see the new installation and be briefed on its capabilities in October, said it was amazing. “It’s just crazy. All automated conveyor belts… just very, very advanced.”
The new Schneider installation marks the end of CR Surfacing’s long-standing Signature brand of lenses, which will be phased out and replaced by its new Perfection Lens Series over the next year. The new Perfection range is completely compatible with the Schneider machinery and will ensure the company can offer the highest accuracy possible for progressive lenses, said Dodge. “It’s all about the end result. You can pretty much get a freeform lens from anywhere. You can get one from China or Germany; you can buy the best freeform lens in the world, but if it’s designed on a lower quality machine, you are not going to get the result you want.”
CR Surfacing’s tech investment has been driven by two factors: first, and foremost, it’s commitment to being entirely independent to best serve the needs of the independent optometry market in New Zealand and Australia; and the looming Essilor-Luxottica merger, which is creating a wealth of opportunities in the market, said Dodge.
