Ray-Ban, Oakley eye wear maker plans 1,000 new jobs in metro Atlanta

In this photo provided by Dolce & Gabbana/Luxottica, Peggy Fries of Luxottica, the manufacturer of Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, says sunglasses aren’t too flashy this year. Instead there’s a more subtle, purposeful use of embellishment. (AP Photo/Dolce & Gabbana)

In this photo provided by Dolce & Gabbana/Luxottica, Peggy Fries of Luxottica, the manufacturer of Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, says sunglasses aren’t too flashy this year. Instead there’s a more subtle, purposeful use of embellishment. (AP Photo/Dolce & Gabbana)

The company behind Ray-Ban, Oakley and Dolce & Gabbana eye wear plans to expand its metro Atlanta distribution center and add 1,000 jobs by the end of this year.

Gov. Nathan Deal’s office and Luxottica Group said Tuesday the company will expand its North American hub in Henry County, and add new positions in production, distribution and facility administration.

Fabrizio Uguzzoni, president of Luxottica Wholesale N.A., said in a news release that the expansion will allow the company to produce and transport prescription glasses “anywhere in the U.S. within 24 to 48 hours.”

“We’re proud to be a global company innovating right here in Atlanta,” he said.

The new jobs will be created as the company rolls out its new production model involving the assembly and distribution of eye wear from the Henry plant.

“Georgia has had great success in attracting manufacturing and distribution operations to our state,” Deal said in the news release. “Luxottica Group’s decision to expand in Henry County will build upon this momentum and allow the company to quickly and efficiently provide products to customers, suppliers and businesses.”

Henry County is a logistics hub for the metro Atlanta and the Southeast. The I-75 corridor provides access to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the ports of Savannah and Brunswick and the states rail and freeway network.

More as this story develops…

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