Plastic Plus and Rodenstock .............................

[Chris Ryser]

I just read in the Optical Prism the following note:


Plastic Plus Acquires Rodenstock Canada

http://www.opticalprism.ca/plastic-p...nstock-canada/

Rodenstock Transfers Canadian Business Distribution To Plastic Plus Ltd.
Rodenstock, Germany’s leading manufacturer of spectacle lenses and frames, will hand over its Canadian business to Plastic Plus Ltd., Canada’s leading Optical Lab and Lens Supplier.

Effective January 1st, 2015, Plastic Plus will act as exclusive production and distribution partner of the German based Rodenstock Group and will serve the Canadian market through a central production lab in Toronto. “We are pleased to have found a reliable and experienced business partner in Canada, who will market our superior product portfolio and deliver excellent services to our clients,” confirms Oliver Kastalio, CEO of Rodenstock Group. “With Plastic Plus we will sustainably strengthen our position in the Canadian market.”

Plastic Plus is Canada’s largest independent lens manufacturer. With one of the most highly advanced labs in the industry and the most state-of-the-art technology, the family run business sets high quality standards for its lenses. “We are very pleased to partner with Rodenstock – a company which is renowned for its unique family of products and brands,” Paul Faibish, CEO of Plastic Plus states. “Our local production clients will benefit from a wider product choice, individual service options and even shorter delivery times in the future.”

All existing Rodenstock business partners in Canada have been officially informed over the past days and can expect a smooth transition. For more information visit www.plasticplus.ca.


My personal statement:
Congratulations to one of the finest optical families in Canada.

[idispense]

What business partners did Rodenstock have left in Canada ?

[Chris Ryser]

What business partners did Rodenstock have left in Canada ?

Who knows and who cares....................they got the largest and best of the independents left.

[HindSight2020]

What business partners did Rodenstock have left in Canada ?

Exactly, most likely none. It just makes the press release sound more polished and enticing. I bet they paid zero for it and actually did them a favour by taking it off their hands. What other options besides Canadian bankruptcy would there be?

[idispense]

Intrinsic value is not always evident on the surface.

[HindSight2020]

Intrinsic value is not always evident on the surface.

Nor does it seldom provide an increase in one's bottom line. The benefit is derived more from appearance, perception and position in the marketplace.

It's like the old saying "One man's trash is another man's treasure"; it's simply perceived value.

[Chris Ryser]

What other options besides Canadian bankruptcy would there be?

We should never forget that Essilor's distributor, Optique Moderne in Montreal, from 1962 to 1965 owned by 5 optometrists went bankrupt and Essilor stepped in and took over and there was never any legal actions.

That was the official start of the big Empire that has now become your official and largest competitor as well as beloved supplier .

[HindSight2020]

We should never forget that Essilor's distributor, Optique Moderne in Montreal, from 1962 to 1965 owned by 5 optometrists went bankrupt and Essilor stepped in and took over and there was never any legal actions.

That was the official start of the big Empire that has now become your official and largest competitor as well as beloved supplier .

Chris, are you suggesting that was the case here to save their hynies?

[idispense]

Ignoring previous bankruptcy issues, and ignoring the North American distribution issues of the past, what are Rodenstock's competitive advantages ?

[Chris Ryser]

Ignoring previous bankruptcy issues, and ignoring the North American distribution issues of the past, what are Rodenstock's competitive advantages ?

The Rodenstock GmbH, headquartered in Munich, is a German manufacturer of lenses and frames . The company was founded in 1877 by Josef Rodenstock and operates approximately 4200 employees and 14 production facilities in 12 countries.

[HindSight2020]

Ignoring previous bankruptcy issues, and ignoring the North American distribution issues of the past, what are Rodenstock's competitive advantages ?

Fire sale.

[idispense]

The Rodenstock GmbH, headquartered in Munich, is a German manufacturer of lenses and frames . The company was founded in 1877 by Josef Rodenstock and operates approximately 4200 employees and 14 production facilities in 12 countries.

With the experience of 14 production facilities in 12 countries and 4200 employees, how is it possible they don't know how to succeed in North America ?

How can that be considered a competitive advantage in North America ?

[ex-optician]

With the experience of 14 production facilities in 12 countries and 4200 employees, how is it possible they don't know how to succeed in North America ?

How can that be considered a competitive advantage in North America ?

Rodenstock progressives used to be the first choice when Standard Optical the retail division of Imperial Optical were still in business. Imperial had the largest lab service in the country. They also did a large volume of sales with their line of frames. When that account was lost they never really recovered in Canada. This was a green light for Essilor. With out big chain support and now internet sales you can get shut out of the market. There was an opportunity missed here as I believe they have quality products. I wish Plastic Plus success in trying to re-establish Rodenstock's market share. This would give ECP's an alternative to Essilor.

[idispense]

Rodenstock progressives used to be the first choice when Standard Optical the retail division of Imperial Optical was still in business. They also did a large volume of sales with their line of frames. When that account was lost they never really recovered in Canada. With out big chain support and now internet sales you can get shut out of the market. I believe their was an opportunity missed here as I always believed they have quality products. I wish Plastic Plus success in trying to re-establish Rodenstock's market share. This would give ECP's an alternative to Essilor.

Will success depend on the frames ? That frame line seriously limited their marketability. The lenses had broad appeal but not the frames. The choice to become a one stop frame and lense supplier might not be a good marketing decision.

[ex-optician]

Will success depend on the frames ? That frame line seriously limited their marketability. The lenses had broad appeal but not the frames. The choice to become a one stop frame and lense supplier might not be a good marketing decision.

Lenses are the key to success as there are unlimited choices for frames. I have not seen a recent collection of Rodenstock frames. They used to be more of a conservative line with both mid to high end lines. I still have buried in the closet a dark navy titanium frame that looked cool 25 years ago. You can still see the quality and craftsmanship that is not matched by the majority of off shore manufacturers today.

[HindSight2020]

Rodenstock progressives used to be the first choice when Standard Optical the retail division of Imperial Optical were still in business. Imperial had the largest lab service in the country. They also did a large volume of sales with their line of frames. When that account was lost they never really recovered in Canada. This was a green light for Essilor. With out big chain support and now internet sales you can get shut out of the market. There was an opportunity missed here as I believe they have quality products. I wish Plastic Plus success in trying to re-establish Rodenstock's market share. This would give ECP's an alternative to Essilor.

It's a pipe dream and will never establish a foot hold against Essilor of more than 0.01%. It's basically a last ditch effort.