What should I expect?

**drk** · 09-06-2005, 01:20 PM

My independent lab, an indispensable business partner for the past ten years, has sold to Essilor.

While I'm happy for the owner ($), what changes are down the pike for me, as a dispensing OD?

**For-Life** · 09-06-2005, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by drk

My independent lab, an indispensable business partner for the past ten years, has sold to Essilor.

While I'm happy for the owner ($), what changes are down the pike for me, as a dispensing OD?

Depends

I know when my lab was bought out it only got better. The man who owned the lab before stayed on as lab manager and he has continued to give the same incredible service as always. With Essilor's money he has been able to do better things and better promotions.

Essentially, he remained empowered and had more finance to maneuver better.

**drk** · 09-06-2005, 03:02 PM

Hope that's the case!

I used to stick up for the indy, but now, I think that the indy that sells out for some big bucks is a fortunate man/woman.

**harry888** · 09-06-2005, 07:47 PM

Nassau got lots better when Essilor bought them.

Harry

**Lee H** · 09-06-2005, 09:07 PM

My guess is you'll be just fine. In many cases (but not all) the lab does improve. I still believe we need independents however. GOOD LUCK!

**Snitgirl** · 09-06-2005, 11:50 PM

In our case, we were using a lab for many, many years and they did beautiful jobs for us, perfecto! Then, Hoya bought them. Boy oh Boy, eveything you can imagine went wrong. Lost jobs, frame breakages, Left lenses mounted in Right. <--that was only "some" of the problems. The quality of their finished product vanished!! It got so bad we started to send our jobs elsewhere.

This is Hoya I am talking about, so I will cross my fingers for Essilor..

**Chris Ryser** · 09-07-2005, 03:07 AM

Originally Posted by drk

My independent lab, an indispensable business partner for the past ten years, has sold to Essilor.

While I'm happy for the owner ($), what changes are down the pike for me, as a dispensing OD?

At this stage probably nothing will change for you. The corporation is continuing their buyouts and takeovers until full market domination can be declared.

Ince that stage is reached there will be changes,.........like they will tell you what to sell and for how much...............or you supply line will be cut.

Right now it is being done with distributors who can only sell certain products if they walk rhe tight rope very carefully and as they are being told.