Jun 20, 2022 | News
opti 2023 is to be held from 13 to 15 January. This means that the ophthalmic optics sector will be able to start the new year and lay the foundations for successful business deals at the Fairground Munich two weeks earlier than planned.
“We have once again made use of the flexibility on offer in the trade fair calendar. We saw it almost as our duty to seize the opportunity of holding opti in its traditional, attractive mid-January spot. By doing so, we aim to send out a clear message and give our exhibitors a helping hand by aligning all the brands at the start of the new sales year,” said Klaus Plaschka, Managing Director of the organiser GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH, explaining the reason for the new date for opti 2023.
Exhibition Director Bettina Reiter added: “We want to leave the pandemic-related lean period far behind us and go on the offensive to create the best possible framework conditions for the industry. Next year, it will be 15 years since the established January date became the well-known launch pad into the new year for the ophthalmic optics sector in the German-speaking region.”
The date for opti 2024 has also been set. The international trade show for optics & design has secured the mid-January spot once again and will form the meeting point for the industry and place to be for exchanging ideas and making successful business deals from 12 to 14 January.
Jun 14, 2022 | News
Source: Zeiss
Zeiss received the StopWaste Award for its Innovation Center in Dublin, California. The StopWaste Award recognizes Alameda County organizations for their efforts in upstream waste prevention through reuse, recycling, and composting. Furthermore, the program honors continuous efforts to improve environmental performance and business efficiency.
Just over a year ago, in March 2021, the company opened the newly constructed Zeiss Innovation Center California that houses customer experience and demonstration centers showcasing recent innovations, as well as research laboratories, service and production facilities. The Center also serves as US headquarters for the Medical Technology and more.
The high-tech building, accommodating approximately 800 workspaces, meets high green energy and sustainability standards. The facility is powered by solar energy, supported by a use-based light and air controls and a heat recovery system. The outdoor irrigation system only uses recycled water.
The Environmental Health and Safety team has created a dedicated waste management program at the Innovation Center to ensure correct waste separation. Continuous webinars and training programs help employees understand the aim of the program and teach how to actively reduce waste while at work. Furthermore, paper cups have been replaced by ceramic mugs for a less-waste coffee break. The hazardous waste management program has been streamlined in order to have scheduled pickups only four times a year. This minimizes the vehicular carbon footprint. In addition, throughout the year dedicated household hazardous waste days for Zeiss employees are organized where they can bring in non-standard waste and sensitive documents to be shredded and disposed.
On the property of the Innovation Center California sits a wetland that is home to a few unique species of bacteria that only exist here. This wetland along with special bioretention areas is actively protected and maintained.
Zeiss has set up a constant process of evaluation and re-evaluation of all environmental and safety programs on site, aiming to refine methods and learn every day.
Source: Zeiss Group
Jun 7, 2022 | News
The Vision Council has appointed Sara Bonizio as the organization’s new Director of Shows. In this position, she will work closely with The Vision Council’s partners at RX, the co-organizer of Vision Expo East and West, to drive opportunities for the growth and development of the Shows. Bonizio will report to Mitch Barkley, The Vision Council’s Vice President of Trade Shows and Events.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sara to The Vision Council team,” said Barkley. “As the industry continues to get back to doing business in-person and adapting to the new realities of a post-pandemic market, this is a very exciting moment to bring in new talent. We are confident Sara›s extensive experience and unique background will bring significant value to membership as we continue to shape the future of Vision Expo East and West.”
Prior to joining The Vision Council, Bonizio worked for The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, most recently as Vice President, Communications and Partnerships. In this role, she worked with the Bronx Chamber to expand its capacity, streamline and enhance operations through team building, program and service development, and internal and external communications.
Earlier in her career, Bonizio spent several years in Boston working with community-based nonprofit organizations, raising over $1.6 million in institutional and individual funding via capital campaigns and special events.
Bonizio also has a personal connection with the vision care industry, having worked at The Metro Optics Group, her family’s group of eyecare practices, for seven years. Bonizio has also served as a contributing writer to several optical trade publications, including Vision Monday and 20/20.
Bonizio holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising and Spanish from Syracuse University and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Social Impact Management from The Heller School at Brandeis University.
Jun 3, 2022 | News
The Vision Council announced the publication of Version 3.13 of the Standard for Data Communications. The standard, which is used by manufacturers of optical lab equipment and producers of software used in optical labs, was developed by The Vision Council’s Lens Processing & Technology (LPT) Division, supersedes all prior versions and contains updates that are needed to stay current with changing technology.
To access the updated Data Communication Standard, click here.
Many of the updates to the standard have been under revision for the past three years by a group of volunteer experts. Questions regarding the updated standard should be directed to Michael Vitale, Vice President, Membership & Technical Affairs, at mvitale@thevisioncouncil.org.
May 20, 2022 | News
Anders Hedegaard – Rodenstock – Foto: Nadine Rupp
The Rodenstock Group announced an agreement to acquire Indo Optical, one of the leading Spanish manufacturers of corrective lenses. With this acquisition, Rodenstock continues with its strategic ambition to gain market share and further accelerates its regional expansion. The transaction is expected to be completed in Q3 2022 and is subject to approval by the usual anti-trust authorities. Financial details of the transaction will not be disclosed.
Indo Optical is a market leader in the manufacturing of ophthalmic lenses as well as the commercialization of diagnostic equipment and optical instruments for opticians and ophthalmologists. Founded in 1937, Indo Optical is present with 440 employees in Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and France today, with two main manufacturing sites in Barcelona and Tangier. The company has a strong reputation in building and maintaining relationships with independent opticians, holding the third largest value share in Spain, and leading the market in Morocco.
With “state of the art” lenses, and a tailored service experience, Indo Optical allows opticians to focus on serving their trusted clients and to grow their business. In the last years, the company has shown a strong, sustainable growth, where during Covid 19 they were even able to grow their market share in Spain, announced Rodenstock.
Rodenstock has been a global leader in prescription lenses for over 140 years, with a strong track record of innovative product development. With the introduction of B.I.G. Vision™ for all in 2020 and most recently the launch of its B.I.G. Norm™ technology, Rodenstock further enhanced its capabilities in developing market leading technologies and setting benchmarks in the industry.
The acquisition will allow Rodenstock to further increase its global footprint and reach new customers outside the premium segment with the potential to cross-sell and provide additional value from Rodenstock’s B.I.G. Vision™ for the entire portfolio. While Indo Optical’s markets in Spain and Portugal are expected to grow in line with the broader European market, the Moroccan market is forecasted to grow with 10% CAGR between 2022 and 2027 and could become a significant revenue contributor in the future. In addition, the acquisition is expected to lead to significant synergies and improve the margins in the lens business.
Anders Hedegaard, CEO Rodenstock, said: “The acquisition of Indo Optical is an important step for our strategic ambition to increase Rodenstock’s global footprint and to drive the transformation of our industry. Indo Optical’s product offering is an ideal fit to our new brand architecture and will allow us to lift synergies for the benefit of our customers.”
Marcus Desimoni, CFO Rodenstock added: “This acquisition offers exciting opportunities to gain market share and to cross-sell Rodenstock products into more premium segments with Indo Optical’s footprint. We can hence reinforce our position as a market-leading Med-Tech company while continuing our transformation and regional expansion.”
Enric Florensa, CEO Indo Optical added: “We are convinced we can continue to grow our market share within the Rodenstock group. This combination is a perfect strategic fit in geographical presence, brand architecture and industrial efficiency. We look forward to working together with the Rodenstock team.”
