About more than a year after Thélios was first formed, Giovanni Zoppas, CEO & General Manager of the company, maps out the journey it has embarked on, and the future direction of this joint venture. Forged in 2017 by LVMH and Marcolin, the company’s first production site is based in Longorane.
More than a year has passed since Thélios was established: could you tell us what the main stages of this process have been?
There have been various stages, all are making a positive contribution to the future prospects of Thélios: getting construction on the first building in Longarone underway, and commencing work on the second building, which will be operational in less than 12 months. This will take us to a total of around 20 thousand square metres, including office premises, all at the disposal of Thélios in Longarone.
Our sites in Paris, New York and Hong Kong are now also fully operational.
The organisational structure has evolved as a result. At present we number almost 350 people, with an average age of less than 30; 300 of these are in Longarone, and I think this is also a wonderful signal for Italian manufacturing and the employment opportunities it provides in our area.
Last April, you inaugurated the Thélios Manufacture, a plant dedicated to producing eyewear for the maisons of the LVMH group. Could you tell us more about the defining characteristics of this production site?
One feature stands head and shoulders above the rest: we have made investments which combine cutting-edge technologies (such as large-scale use of 3D printers) with the manual skill of an atelier. This is the future of all things Made in Italy where our field is concerned: technology combined with craftsmanship!
We have also invested in automation and processes which ensure Thélios is a “state of the art” company. As volumes increase, they will ensure we are increasingly competitive, but still with our unmistakeably Italian touch!
In what ways is your commitment to guaranteeing sustainable manufacturing taking tangible form?
We generate our own energy using a network of solar panels. We follow international guidelines on the use of (non) toxic materials. But above all, we are engaged in extensive research into non-polluting materials and processes: this is actually set down in the guidelines of the LVMH Group.
What measures is your group taking to counteract fakes?
We are using a variety of tools to prevent and counteract this phenomenon, but we prefer not to disclose them.
In your view, what role do trade fairs, particularly MIDO, play in the current scenario?
I feel that eyewear trade fairs are vital, MIDO more so than any other: not just because of the opportunities they afford from a commercial standpoint, but also because MIDO in particular helps consolidate Italy’s status in the field.
At the moment, Thélios is not taking part in trade fairs. This, however, is a decision which will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with considerable respect for what MIDO represents for us eyewear professionals.