An Interview with Mathieu Thierry of Thierry Manufacture

An interview with Mathieu Thierry, grandson of Claude Thierry, founder of Thierry Manufacture.

Take a closer look at Thierry Manufacture, partner of Maison Lafont for more than 40 years.

From left to right: Mathieu, Joël, Claude and Philippe Thierry

Can you describe the history of the Thierry Factory?

Mathieu Thierry : "The family-owned business THIERRY Manufacture. has been run by the Thierry's for three generations.
The company emerged from a craft workshop established in 1970. Today, more than 130 employees work at two sites and produce over 400,000 optical and sunglass frames per year. Our company is a major player, if not the leader, in French frame manufacturing in terms of both volume and workforce.

Manufacturing with a permanent balance of heritage and technology.

Acetate polishing

Originally our factory performed acetate polishing (before 1970). We soon started milling acetate fronts (in the 1970s) and then producing full-acetate frames (in the 1980s).

The production of metal parts started in the late 1980s in response to a sudden market change, enabling us to produce combination frames followed by titanium frames in 1996.

Having successfully integrated these processes, we are currently developing and manufacturing acetate, metal, and combination optical and sunglass frames based on our clients' designs, with the primary support of the local industry.

The specialty of our factory is in striking the right balance between tradition and technology."

How would you describe your partnership with Lafont?

"Our partnership, and long history together, enables our respective companies to complement each other and provide opticians and consumers with assertive designs of refined material and colour combinations, while also ensuring a recognizable and consistent quality.

We constantly strive to strengthen our partnership to further enhance its efficiency. Using modern communication tools helps us speed up decision-making processes and be more flexible in selecting shades and models. This long-lasting partnership is one of our main assets, as it is an illustration of our constant level of performance and, more fundamentally, of our values."

What are the factory's areas of expertise? Does it stand out for any particular skill?

"We are leaders in working with cellulose acetate and producing high-end combination frames. Polishing acetate is both our original craft and one of our most widely recognized skills – an undeniable asset!

In addition, we continuously strive to integrate all production stages and develop our expertise by introducing new production techniques. Our flexibility is our main quality and enables us to best meet our clients' needs."

Acetate cutting room and storage

Acetate polishing room and barrels

Would any anecdote come to your mind about your 40 years of partnership and production?

"I remember sharing meals with the Lafonts – Laurence, Philippe, and sometimes their children – when they would come and visit us in the Jura mountains and spend time together after intense but always cordial business talks. Such fond childhood memories have contributed to building a long-lasting relationship."

Do you have any favourite frame?

"Not really: my preferences change a bit with each season. If I had to choose one, though, it would be the DINARD – one of the first models I focused on after joining the family business.”