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Thread: EssilorLuxottica to Acquire Walman

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    EssilorLuxottica to Acquire Walman


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    What's up? drk's Avatar
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    HOLY CRAP!

    Walman was the last independent mega optical!

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    Master Jedi King of the Lab's Avatar
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    Luxilor cannot be stopped.
    Erik Zuniga, ABOC.

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    One eye sees, the other feels OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking alcohol.
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    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter Judy Canty's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by drk View Post
    HOLY CRAP!

    Walman was the last independent mega optical!
    I'm really surprised that you're surprised.

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    Quote Originally Posted by King of the Lab View Post


    Luxilor cannot be stopped.
    I would say that is a perfect representation of the situation.

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    Noooooooooo!

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    What's up? drk's Avatar
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    I'm surprised because I thought it was a true independent.

    Seriously, now, the FTC should step in.

    Is there any limit? When the country's largest independent optical lab network, and in my opinion, the primary counterbalance to Essilor gets consolidated...c'mon.
    Last edited by drk; 03-26-2021 at 08:48 AM.

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    Master OptiBoarder AngeHamm's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by drk View Post
    I'm surprised because I thought it was a true independent.

    Seriously, now, the FTC should step in.

    Is there any limit? When the country's largest independent optical lab network, and in my opinion, the primary counterbalance to Essilor gets consolidated...c'mon.
    Agreed. This is something to be legitimately shocked by.
    I'm Andrew Hamm and I approve this message.

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    OptiBoardaholic Optical Roy's Avatar
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    Roy W. Jackson, Sr. ABOC

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    Does anyone know of any independent optical labs that aren't small? Are there any left? The little guy can't compete. I've had Essilor lab reps come in and offer free progressives for a month. What independent lab can compete with that????
    Also... wasn't Walman employee owned? What happens to them at this point? Can't be good.

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    OptiBoardaholic IIxIPariahIxII's Avatar
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    Well sure, the first month are free. But then you're paying two to three times the cost more than anyone else's priceline

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    Quote Originally Posted by mervinek View Post
    Does anyone know of any independent optical labs that aren't small? Are there any left? The little guy can't compete. I've had Essilor lab reps come in and offer free progressives for a month. What independent lab can compete with that????
    Also... wasn't Walman employee owned? What happens to them at this point? Can't be good.
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    OptiWizard
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    Don’t expect intervention from the FTC I was questioned when Essilor was buying Armorlite the main question can you buy similar products from another source and of course you can then they are not a monopoly. We should be questioning when American Optical and B&L where taken apart under the Sherman anti trust act. They ruled you cannot be a lab operator in retail and be a manufacturer pick one. They both picked a manufacturer and their lab network was sold off piece by piece. Some became independent labs and some closed. The industry was never same after that change. You decide if it was for the better.

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    Compulsive Truthteller OptiBoard Gold Supporter Uncle Fester's Avatar
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    Essilor buys Walman
    VSP ONE smiles

    "Your VSP glasses will be ready in about 3 weeks."

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    Quote Originally Posted by mervinek View Post
    Does anyone know of any independent optical labs that aren't small? Are there any left? The little guy can't compete. I've had Essilor lab reps come in and offer free progressives for a month. What independent lab can compete with that????
    Also... wasn't Walman employee owned? What happens to them at this point? Can't be good.
    Depends on what you think "small" is I guess. Here is the list from 2017 of independent labs by sales dollars. Since then Essilor has acquired Expert and now Walman, probably a couple others on the list as well.

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    Ghost in the OptiMachine Quince's Avatar
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    *big sigh


    I actually had dreams of joining them in the potential future (a rep told me they were looking to expand to my area.)
    Have I told you today how much I hate poly?

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    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter Judy Canty's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Quince View Post
    *big sigh


    I actually had dreams of joining them in the potential future (a rep told me they were looking to expand to my area.)
    Technically, they just did...no matter where you are.

    I'm a Luzerne rep and we are and will always be independent.

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    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter Judy Canty's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mervinek View Post
    Does anyone know of any independent optical labs that aren't small? Are there any left? The little guy can't compete. I've had Essilor lab reps come in and offer free progressives for a month. What independent lab can compete with that????
    Also... wasn't Walman employee owned? What happens to them at this point? Can't be good.
    Luzerne is still the largest, single location, family owned independent full service lab in the US. Give us a try. I am a rep.

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    Ghost in the OptiMachine Quince's Avatar
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    I'm a former surfacing technician. They were opening a lab in my area which would have been a dream come true. All I've got up here is Hoya... no thank you.


    Unless you are offering??
    Have I told you today how much I hate poly?

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    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter Judy Canty's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Quince View Post
    I'm a former surfacing technician. They were opening a lab in my area which would have been a dream come true. All I've got up here is Hoya... no thank you.


    Unless you are offering??
    We only have one location and it's in PA. If you're really looking, you can apply through our website. www.luzerneoptical.com

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    Ghost in the OptiMachine Quince's Avatar
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    Thanks for the option, but I'm a New England gal. Maine must not be friendly enough for the business man to open up shop. Oh well, looks like my lab days are over!

    Congrats on being a part of something so rare now!
    Have I told you today how much I hate poly?

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    Master OptiBoarder rbaker's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lensman11 View Post
    Don’t expect intervention from the FTC I was questioned when Essilor was buying Armorlite the main question can you buy similar products from another source and of course you can then they are not a monopoly. We should be questioning when American Optical and B&L where taken apart under the Sherman anti trust act. They ruled you cannot be a lab operator in retail and be a manufacturer pick one. They both picked a manufacturer and their lab network was sold off piece by piece. Some became independent labs and some closed. The industry was never same after that change. You decide if it was for the better.
    There was additional action to the Sherman Anti-Tust legislation that caused the changes. AO signed a secret "consent decree"which addressed 'price fixing." In any case it was the start of the end of AO's dominance in the eye care business sort of like the Chicago mob taking over from the New York mob.

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    Isn't ABB Optical now last independent lab standing? Their new lab in KY is largest in the country with amazing turn time.

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    Quote Originally Posted by katemo View Post
    Isn't ABB Optical now last independent lab standing? Their new lab in KY is largest in the country with amazing turn time.
    Uh no. There are plenty of indy labs. This sound a like an ad for ABB Optical.

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