Varilux Authorized Distributor

**culland** · 08-01-2005, 02:42 PM

I have a question that I'm hoping that someone out there can help me with. I have been running an Independent Finishing lab for a little while and am considering investing in the surfacing equipment due to the possible addition of a couple major account. I also have found a good used surface lab that is for sale w/ newer equipment all Gerber/Coburn SGX Generator, and other neccessary surfacing equipment etc...

However, before I take this big of a financial step in the way of purchasing this additional equipment I'm trying to calculate the savings that the surfacing ability would add to my lab. The problem is, about 90% of the progressives sold through my accounts are Varilux Lenses and there is NO talking them out of them. I love Varilux products but I know that I won't be able to just purchase semi-finished Varilux Lenses. I have contacted Essilor and have been transfered all around and never received any response. I just want to know what type of pricing I would receive from Varilux semi-finished lenses as well as what I need to have and do in order to become a Varilux Authorized Distributor. I also need to know how difficult of process it is to become a Distributor. If anyone can help me out at all I would greatly appreciate it as I'm just trying to plan it out by calculate savings vs. cost etc... and then how to proceed from there. Thanks to all that post.

**slaboff** · 08-01-2005, 04:25 PM

It is my understanding that Essilor is not opening new Varilux accounts... I could be wrong on this

**Magician** · 08-01-2005, 11:11 PM

Typically, I think 'slaboff' is correct. They tend to not add more distributors. However, if you are fortunate enough (although it sounds you are not) to be in an area with low sales in Varilux - you might get lucky. Getting ahold of the right people there is a bigger problem.

Best of luck.

**Chris Ryser** · 08-02-2005, 04:21 AM

Originally Posted by Magician

Typically, I think 'slaboff' is correct. They tend to not add more distributors. However, if you are fortunate enough (although it sounds you are not) to be in an area with low sales in Varilux - you might get lucky. Getting ahold of the right people there is a bigger problem.
Best of luck.

All of you have Pete Hanlin Essilor spekesman right here on the Optiboard. He is right now looking for information for course he is going to give.

He is well in a position to give the answer from the Lions mouth. Ask him publicly or privately and you should get a proper answer. Address a post directly to him.

**LENNY** · 08-02-2005, 08:04 AM

I dont think you can be an autorised distributer of Varilux!
But you can use other Essilor products that are almost the same but less expensive. I know Labs that are not Varilux labs but they still get the product if they have to.........

**Leo Hadley Jr** · 08-02-2005, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by LENNY

I dont think you can be an autorised distributer of Varilux!
But you can use other Essilor products that are almost the same but less expensive. I know Labs that are not Varilux labs but they still get the product if they have to.........

Exactly....

I love Naturals and Ovations. They are the same as Comforts and Panamics

**Pete Hanlin** · 08-02-2005, 09:12 PM

I have received your email, and will forward it to one of the regional VPs in our IDD (Indepedent Laboratory Partners) division.

I know many requests are received for Varilux distributorships, and very few new ones are being granted. Existing distributors- both independent and ELOA- have to be considered.

As for Essilor Ovation & Natural and Varilux Panamic & Comfort, the differences between these seperate products has been discussed numerous times in other threads. Nevertheless, there is also the Ovation Laboratory Network, which is independent laboratories (some retail, some privately owned) who have access to Essilor's non-Varilux products.

**CME4SPECS** · 08-02-2005, 11:23 PM

Hey Pete, what makes Varilux so special that every lab in the world can't use it? It sure must be a tough lens to surface! I might use it more if my lab was given the "priviledge" of being a distributor!

**culland** · 08-03-2005, 01:15 AM

Thank You Very Much Pete!!!:)

That is all that I have been trying to do for sometime now is get a hold of someone to talk to about this and haven't received any response at all. Thanks for your help in this matter and I look forward to hearing from someone hopefully.

I also have one question too. If I had to go with the option of being able to surface Essilor's Non-Varilux products, Ovations etc... What would I do for all the order's I'm been receiving for the Varilux Ellipse? There isn't a comparable Essilor lens thats not Varilux, right? So I have to either convince my accounts to go with another companies short corridor or else buy them surfaced from a Varilux Authorized Distributor, in which case it might not be worth adding full surfacing to our lab. And if I did convince the accounts to use non Varilux products and use any other short corridor progressive(ie Piccolo, Hoya Summit CD, AO Compact etc..), Essilor is in essence losing business! How does all of this make sense from a business stand point on Essilor's end? I realize you want to keep a close eye on the quality of surfaced Varilux lenses and I agree with that completely but to go as far as losing business because of it doesn't make sense?

**slaboff** · 08-03-2005, 10:07 AM

You could try to become a shamir lab... the genesis and piccolo are superior imho to any other lens on the market...

**rsandr** · 08-03-2005, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by culland

I have contacted Essilor and have been transfered all around and never received any response. I just want to know what type of pricing I would receive from Varilux semi-finished lenses as well as what I need to have and do in order to become a Varilux Authorized Distributor. I also need to know how difficult of process it is to become a Distributor. If anyone can help me out at all I would greatly appreciate it as I'm just trying to plan it out by calculate savings vs. cost etc... and then how to proceed from there. Thanks to all that post.

It seems easy to become a Varilux specialist lab in the UK.
Is this because they havent bought up all the decent labs yet?

Rick

**Lewy** · 08-03-2005, 03:35 PM

If it's anything like the Varilux Specialist Opticians, it all boils down to your financial commitment to Essilor. The more you spend, the greater the support.

Lewy

**Pete Hanlin** · 08-06-2005, 11:04 PM

My understanding is that the UK and US markets are substantially different. In general, I believe Essilor fabricates most Essilor (Varilux & other) lenses in Europe- with a secondary channel called BBGR which fabricates non-Varilux products.

Concerning the rationale for limited distributorship, it may help to remember that Varilux was initially distributed solely through an independent network of laboratories. This partner network established what Varilux is today through cooperative promotion, training, etc. In return, Essilor limits distribution of Varilux products. Since 1996, with the aquisition of Southern Laboratories, Essilor has purchased some of the partner laboratories. Independent partners still account for over 60% of the Varilux products sold today.

Regarding your specific request, I received an email informing me it has been forwarded on to someone who should be able to assist you with your inquiries. If you don't hear from someone in the next few days, please email me again and I'll make a call or two.

Regarding Shamir, they produce several designs- including a short corridor lens called Piccolo. Within the Essilor family, the shortest non-Varliux product is Essilor Ovation, which can be fit down to 17mm. There is also a short corridor Nikon product (I believe it is Presio 13, but I could be mistaken- its been a while since I worked on this product).

**culland** · 08-06-2005, 11:16 PM

Thanks again for your help with this Pete. I'll keep you informed if I haven't heard anything. Also I will make sure and stop by the Essilor booth down in Vegas and can maybe talk to someone there as well. Thanks again, you've been a great help!

**Chris Ryser** · 08-07-2005, 03:54 AM

Originally Posted by Chris Ryser

All of you have Pete Hanlin Essilor spekesman right here on the Optiboard.

Ask him publicly or privately and you should get a proper answer. Address a post directly to him.

Good one more problem solved................nice to have somebody to fall back onto. Am still wondering why not more of the other suppliers are going on the forum.