Last one out, shut the door!
In the last decade Optogenics was sold to "E". Then came Winchester, Sunburst, and now US Optical. Sunburst is merging with Optogenics.
I believe Advance in Rochester is now also E. Anybody know about Rochester Optical?
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Last one out, shut the door!
In the last decade Optogenics was sold to "E". Then came Winchester, Sunburst, and now US Optical. Sunburst is merging with Optogenics.
I believe Advance in Rochester is now also E. Anybody know about Rochester Optical?
There we go again...........................
I just wonder if instead retiring the owners of these labs are just selling out to E to get out of the business fast and easy.
Seems like it's a heck of an exit strategy. And it's not always "get out of the business". Sometimes they start up and sell all over again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by other_bill_fea
That is the exit strategy ....................or do it again a second time
There is also an interesting entrance strategy for the buyer who now owns just a little more than 490 optical Rx labs, on a worldwide basis.
That's exactly what the Cotran brothers did with Optogenics. They sold to Essilor, waited out their "non-compete" and then opened US Optical (which is actually a very good lab), and now it's gone to Essilor. Again.Quote:
Originally Posted by other_bill_fea
Oh, I know. I wonder if they've got another one in them.
The non compete could be longer this time around :)Quote:
Originally Posted by other_bill_fea
Quote:
Originally Posted by other_bill_fea
I would not bet on it, the count is now at 400 + purchased labs, and many of them got closed, the equipment exported and installed overseas where they produce at much lower cost.
Western NY....once a powerhouse in the optical industry.....
Back in the day Rochester, NY (B&L) and Southbridge, MA (AO) were the mother ships of the optical business. Lots of businesses spun off and prospered due to the abundance of talent and knowledge. Alas, things changed and the talent and knowledge is now consolidated in the hands of just a few suspects, most found off shore.
Confiscatory taxation, needless regulation and the incursion of third parties contributed to the demise of the manufacturing of ophthalmic products in the US. Remove these impediments and we will see a resurgence of domestic production and a booming optical goods manufacturing sector right here at home.
The owners in most cases aren't retiring. It's a decision of take a check our be run out of the industry. Any owner in their right mind would take the dough and stay on for the next 5 years with a nice salary.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Ryser
It's nothing more than consolidate market share.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Ryser