In Essonne, Minima wants to promote French glasses internationally

Minima a obtenu 5 brevets pour les techniques qu'il a développées depuis 40 ans.

Posted Sep 29, 2022, 2:50 PM

From September 23 to 26, the World Optical Fair – SILMO for insiders – saw professionals in the sector flock to the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center (Seine-Saint-Denis). Among them, the eyewear manufacturer Minima, based in Linas (Essonne). It presented a new range of frames for children, in line with the production of the brand for 40 years. His specialty: refined and light frames. “We are innovating in the way the temples of glasses hold the lenses. On this children’s model, without screws and for adults, without contour around the lenses. Even Elisabeth Borne wears our glasses! sums up Maurice Timon, the president of Minima.

Despite this know-how, which enabled Minima to obtain 5 patents, the organization remained the weak link in this company, whose turnover amounted to 6 million euros in 2021. Lack of vision on the stocks, weak optimization of flows in the factory, fragmented use of the company’s management software (ERP): there were many points for improvement.

Necessary support

Since the beginning of 2022, Minima has therefore requested support from the program Smart Industry Ile-de-France . Created in 2019 by the French Mechanical Expertise Center (Cetim) in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), the project has already helped 246 SMEs to improve their operation and competitiveness. The cost of the program amounts to nearly 16,000 euros, 90% financed by the region. The remaining 10% is covered by the company.

Initially, regular meetings with a consultant make it possible to identify concrete solutions to the company’s problems. “From the start of the support, the consultant told us that if we didn’t change our way of working, we would be dead. I also saw it in my accounts, we were less and less profitable and our delivery times were getting longer,” says Maurice Timon. A significant element because the SME delivers, not to individuals but exclusively to central purchasing and major optical brands.

Concrete changes

For 5 months, the solutions offered by the Smart Industry program have been gradually implemented and the 50 employees of Minima have seen their daily lives transformed. The company’s management software has been updated, several people have been trained in its use and the workstations in the workshop have been rearranged. The result: improved workforce efficiency and a clearer overview of the company’s production. “Thanks to the support, I understood the importance of the organization of the company. I founded this company as an autodidact, so I had always focused on marketing,” admits Maurice Timon.

Even Elisabeth Borne wears our glasses!

Maurice Timon President of Minima

In the longer term, Minima is betting on a ramping up of its activities against the market leaders Luxottica and Marcolin. While the eyewear manufacturer already produces 10,000 frames per month, it is betting on a 20% increase in the volume of its orders, a reduction in delivery times from 6 to 4 weeks and future recruitment. These prospects will also allow Minima to improve its international outlets, which have been undermined by the health crisis. The brand generates 50% of its turnover thanks to its export sales. Its products are distributed in 60 countries around the world, particularly in Asia.

Minima nevertheless remains attached to the French manufacture of its frames. If the raw materials, in particular titanium, are imported from the American continent, 70% of the value of the product is created in Essonne. “Despite everything, you have to be viable on the market. In Asia, for example, Made in France is no longer a selling point and we must provide an innovative product,” analyzes Maurice Timon. A strategy that Minima intends to finalize by the end of its Smart Industry support. Depending on the evolution of the company, the program may be extended for another 3 to 9 months.

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