Cerium, Salem in Talks to Establish U.S. Joint Venture
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.—Salem Vision Group of Winston-Salem, N.C. and Cerium Optical Products of Tenterden, England are in negotiation to establish a new joint venture company, Cerium Optical Products (USA).

The new venture will be located in Dallas, Texas, to market and supply a complete range of optical products and surfacing consumables manufactured or sold by both organizations in the U.S. These are presently sold by Salem through their stocking locations in North Carolina, California, Texas and Toronto.

Cerium is a leading manufacturer of consumables and machinery used in ophthalmic lens surfacing. It currently supplies customers in some 150 countries worldwide from its headquarters in Tenterden, England.

Salem has been Cerium’s distributor in the USA for the past 30 years. Consolidation into a joint venture company will enable both company’s to offer laboratories “one-stop” convenience when purchasing surfacing consumables or seeking technical assistance in their use and application, according to Cerium.

Salem said it expects many of its sales personnel will transfer to the new entity, ensuring continuity for customers in the U.S.

Cerium Optical, Dallas, is now open for business. The transfer of Salem’s current business to the new company in Dallas will be complete by the end of the year, according to Cerium. Over the intervening period customers can continue contacting Salem at its various locations, or can contact Cerium at its new Dallas office.