What LEM does

LEM Optical (legal entity LEM SRL) is a privately held Italian eyewear contract manufacturer founded in 1984 in Galliate Lombardo, Varese, Italy. The company operates as a vertically integrated B2B solution provider manufacturing high-performance injected sunglasses (PA12 polymer) and ski goggles (polyurethane) for leading sportswear brands and luxury fashion brands. Co-led by partners Claudio Marcassa and Stefano Lodigiani, LEM runs two production facilities on a 3,000+ sq.m site with a headcount of 51–100 employees.

LEM's core technical stack centers on advanced manufacturing: 18 injection molding machines supporting over-injection and bi-injection processes, a multi-laser suite (CO2 for depth etching, YAG for cosmetic effects, UV for cold anti-counterfeiting marking), 5 Universal Robots collaborative robots deployed for laser etching, glue dispensing, and machine tending, and 3D printing/scanning capabilities for reverse engineering and rapid prototyping. The company has built expertise in innovative materials including carbon fiber composites, glass fiber composites, self-healing polymers, and recycled nylon covering 20–25% of virgin polymer requirements. Operational sustainability metrics include 90% recovery of plastic from injection molding, 100% renewable energy usage, and a CRM portal enabling real-time customer order monitoring.

Commercially, LEM generates revenue through negotiated B2B contract manufacturing fees tied to design complexity, materials, volumes, and technology requirements. The go-to-market is direct enterprise sales targeting leading sportswear brands (ski goggles, sports eyewear) and luxury fashion brands (cellulose acetate frames, premium aesthetic finishes). Full-service offerings span design and engineering, prototyping, injection molding, collaborative robotics automation, painting and aesthetic treatments, multi-source laser marking, and assembly with multi-stage quality control. The company transitioned in 2010 from pure eyewear manufacturer to a complete solution provider, layering in-house engineering, prototyping, mold development, automation, and quality control into a single integrated workflow.

Name

LEM

Legal name

LEM SRL

Website

https://lemoptical.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

LEM Optical is a privately held Italian B2B contract manufacturer founded in 1984, producing high-performance injected sunglasses and ski goggles on a fully vertically integrated line for leading sportswear and luxury fashion brands. It combines injection molding, collaborative robotics, multi-laser processing, and innovative sustainable materials.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Eyewear Manufacturing

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Eyewear Manufacturing & OEM/ODM (Frames & Sunglasses) (CRAAAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sunglasses (Non-Prescription) (CRAAAKAB), Sport & Performance Eyewear (CRAAAKAC), Luxury Eyewear (Sunglasses & Optical) (CRAKAFAG)

Keywords

• Contract eyewear manufacturing
• Injected sunglasses production
• Ski goggles manufacturing
• Injection molding services
• Luxury eyewear OEM

Headquarters

HQ city

Galbiate

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Contract Manufacturing Services: B2B contract manufacturing of high-performance sport sunglasses, luxury fashion sunglasses, and ski goggles for eyewear brands. Revenue generated through production fees for design assistance, development, and manufacturing services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

LEM Optical is an Italian B2B contract manufacturer that designs, engineers, and produces high-performance injected sunglasses (PA12 polymer) and ski goggles (polyurethane) for leading sportswear brands, luxury fashion brands, and ski goggle manufacturers. The company operates two production facilities on a 3,000+ sq.m site, providing a fully vertically integrated service from concept and prototyping through injection molding, painting, laser marking, collaborative robotics automation, and assembly with quality control.

Product overview

LEM Optical is an Italian eyewear contract manufacturer offering two primary product lines: injected sunglasses (PA12) and ski goggles (polyurethane). The company provides a vertically integrated design-to-production solution, combining its core eyewear products with comprehensive manufacturing services including design & engineering, prototyping, injection molding, collaborative robotics automation, painting & aesthetic treatments, laser marking, and assembly with quality control. LEM operates as a complete solution provider supporting product design, development, and production with technical solutions incorporating high innovation content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Injected Sunglasses (PA12) High-performance sports and lifestyle sunglasses manufactured via injection molding with PA12 polymer, offering excellent mechanical properties, long-lasting shape, ergonomics, and sustainable options using recycled nylon. Produced as a B2B contract-manufactured product line for sportswear and luxury fashion brands.
• Ski Goggles Ski goggles manufactured in injection-molded polyurethane for leading sportswear brands, with renewable materials used to reduce environmental impact while maintaining performance standards.
• Design and Engineering Services Full-service product development from concept to mold-ready 3D files for eyewear customers, including 3D scanning to 3D-printed prototype workflows and emotional 2D sketch to 3D conversion, with reverse engineering capabilities.
• Prototyping Services Combines craftsmanship and 3D scanning/printing to turn single-piece golden samples into wearable eyewear prototypes with traceable and reversible CAD adjustments.
• Injection Molding Services Contract injection molding for eyewear using 18 machines of various sizes, supporting vertical injection molding for optimized over-injection, horizontal injection molding for high-volume performance, electrodynamic injection molding, and bi-injection processes combining different materials.
• Collaborative Robotics Automation Services Cobot-integrated production services including machine tending for lens edging, laser marking, and injection molding operations, improving efficiency, consistency, ergonomics, and precision for eyewear customers.
• Painting and Aesthetic Treatments Frame painting and treatments including masking, laser paint removal, multilayer metal coating, vacuum heat transfer, and frame wrapping, with an extensive finish range from classic matt and gloss to rubberized and soft touch.
• Laser Marking Services Multi-source laser services (CO2 for depth etching, YAG for high-precision visual effects, UV for anti-counterfeiting and minimal heat stress), combined with robotics for consistent precision in frame and lens marking.
• Assembly and Quality Control Final eyewear assembly including lens glazing and rubber-component gluing, with multi-stage quality control, statistical process control, destructive testing (temple cycles, overflex, paint adhesion), and aging/weathering tests in saline fog and UV climate rooms.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of plastic material from injection molding processes recovered
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Universal RobotscoreTechnology or Integration · 21 December 2021LEM installed a fleet of 5 Universal Robots collaborative robots (cobots) to handle various production tasks including laser etching, glue dispensing, and injection molding machine tending. Cobots allow execution of specific operations with repeatability and precision while freeing operators from strenuous low-value work.
• University of Milan – BicoccaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEM participates in a survey promoted by University of Milan – Bicocca studying the acceptance of technology by workers using cobots, robots, or virtual/augmented reality. The project focuses on ergonomic aspects and worker reception of new technology.
• Plastic Recovery Companies (unnamed)coreOthersLEM has service contracts with two companies specialized in plastic recovery to separate and recover injection runner material. These partners help LEM achieve its 90% plastic recovery rate from injection molding processes.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kenmark Group: US-based eyewear manufacturer designing and producing OEM frames and sunglasses for global brands. Direct comparable as an eyewear contract manufacturer serving multiple brand owners.
• Safilo: Italian eyewear manufacturer that designs, produces, and distributes branded and licensed eyewear globally, including sports and fashion sunglasses. Comparable as a vertically integrated Italian eyewear OEM serving leading international brands.
• Marcolin: Italian eyewear manufacturer producing sunglasses and optical frames under license for global fashion and luxury brands (e.g., Tom Ford, Ermenegildo Zegna). Direct peer as a vertically integrated Italian OEM/ODM eyewear manufacturer.
• De Rigo: Italian eyewear group manufacturing and distributing branded eyewear (Police, Loewe, Sting) through licensed and owned brands. Direct comparable as an Italian eyewear OEM serving fashion and luxury houses.
• Charmant Group: Japan-based eyewear frame manufacturer producing titanium and metal frames, also OEM/ODM for international brands. Comparable as a vertically integrated eyewear contract manufacturer serving global brand customers.

Broad incumbents

• Marchon Eyewear: Major global eyewear manufacturer and distributor with licensed brands including Nike, Lacoste, and Calvin Klein. Comparable as a large-scale eyewear OEM serving sportswear and fashion brands, though at a much larger scale than LEM.
• EssilorLuxottica: World's largest eyewear conglomerate owning Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, and producing for nearly every major luxury brand. Broad incumbent with overlapping eyewear manufacturing and brand licensing, but at vastly greater scale than LEM.

Emerging players

• Bollé Brands: Sports eyewear and helmet brand (Bollé, Bollé Safety, Cébé) covering sport sunglasses and ski goggles. Comparable as a focused player in sports eyewear and ski goggles, the same product categories where LEM specializes as a contract manufacturer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lemoptical
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lemoptical

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LEM