A while back Don Barber of Tech-Cite Laboratories suggested we have a topic discussing the current state and future of independent wholesale labs. I think this is a great topic and would like to open this up for discussion.

There's no doubt the the Wholesale lab environment has undegone radical changes over the last few years, particularly in the U.S. and Canada. The Essilor decision to acquire labs in North America was a bold and risky move which has brought significant change, not only to the wholesale business itself, but to the optical industry in general. Along with Hoya's recent acquisitions and Zeiss' continuing gains in the AR lab market, the wholesale industry is being transformed and consolidated. What do these changes mean both for the industry as a whole, and for the remaining independent labs?

In addition to the changes in the business environment, there's significant change on the lab floor as well. The advent of robotics and increasing computerization of lab processes have altered the skill requirements in the lab itself. Does this make the skilled Lab Optician less important than in years past?

One can legitimately argue the the rate of change in the Wholesale labs is far greater than in any other aspect of our industry. Given this, I'm surprised this topic hasn't been brought up before now.

So what do you think? Is there a future for the Indendent Wholesale Lab? And what do you think these changes mean for the industry?