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Thread: Central NY Losing Yet Another Independent Lab...

  1. #1
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter SharonB's Avatar
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    Central NY Losing Yet Another Independent Lab...

    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?
    Lost and confused in an optical wonderland!

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    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
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    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.

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    OptiBoardaholic other_bill_fea's Avatar
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    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.
    FEA Industries
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    Morton, PA

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    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
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    Redhot Jumper There is also an interesting entrance strategy for the buyer ......................

    Quote Originally Posted by other_bill_fea View Post

    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.


    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.
    Last edited by Chris Ryser; 10-28-2016 at 01:01 PM.

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    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter SharonB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by other_bill_fea View Post
    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.
    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.
    Lost and confused in an optical wonderland!

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    OptiBoardaholic other_bill_fea's Avatar
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    Oh, I know. I wonder if they've got another one in them.
    FEA Industries
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    www.optmagazine.com
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    Master OptiBoarder LENNY's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by other_bill_fea View Post
    Oh, I know. I wonder if they've got another one in them.
    The non compete could be longer this time around :)

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    Blue Jumper I would not bet on it ..........................

    Quote Originally Posted by other_bill_fea View Post

    Oh, I know. I wonder if they've got another one in them.

    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.

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    Western NY....once a powerhouse in the optical industry.....

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    Master OptiBoarder rbaker's Avatar
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    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.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Ryser View Post
    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.
    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.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Ryser View Post
    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.
    It's nothing more than consolidate market share.

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