Contract Manufacturing

In 2013, with over 65 years of industry experience, we began our most exciting venture to date. To re-create British manufacturing for optical frames and sunglasses with the introduction of Contract Manufacturing "Made in Britain".

The latest precision machines, highly trained staff and years of industry experience make it possible for us to produce beautiful, quality product at our own factory in Liverpool, England. Every frame is skilfully crafted by specialist technicians with great care and attention to detail.

The 120,000 sq ft factory is home to over 150 dedicated staff, some of which have been with the company for over 30 years. We are proud of our heritage and the fact we design, manufacture and test every frame in-house, a unique proposition that has allowed us to go back to our roots and bring eyewear manufacturing back to Britain

The British Touch

Design and heritage

Just outside London where the company started back in 1946 our design studios provide a fully integrated design service. The design team embraces a combination of classic techniques and modern technologies to take their ideas from a sketch, CAD drawing or 3D prototype through to a finished frame. Product, packaging and point of sale are all considered to create a cohesive product proposition.

Tried and tested

All frames are rigorously tested in our own UKAS accredited laboratory in Liverpool, England ensuring that each frame not only looks and feels beautiful but is of the highest standard of quality, performance and safety. Optolab received UKAS accreditation in May 2012.

For further information on Contract Manufacturing in Britain please contact us.

Design process & orignal tumbling room

Our history

1946

Optoplast Manufacturing Co.Ltd. established

1948

We produced the first range of NHS optical frames

1951

PIMO machine launched. Temples exported to 11 countries worldwide

1982

We were the largest producers of spectacle frame sides in England

1985

Daniel Thorn joined the company

1992

We relocated to Liverpool and set up manufacturing

1999

James Conway joined the company

2012

We set up Optolab, our own UKAS accredited testing lab

2014

Manufacturing frames in England began

2015

Walter & Herbert, Made in England eyewear was launched

2016

Walter & Herbert flagship showroom opened on Monmouth St, London