In a massive coup for their optical retail business in Australia, Luxottica, today announced it has successfully secured the contract to provide optical services with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), as an exclusive subcontractor to prime contractor Medibank.
The much sought after contract is valued at AUD$33.5 million.
The win is part of a larger multi-million dollar contract awarded by the ADF to Medibank and its sub-contractors to provide a wide range of medical and allied health services both on and off base. Medibank’s contract win was announced by the Federal Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, The Hon Warren Snowdon MP, in Canberra today.
Medibank’s Managing Director, George Savvides, said the tender process run by the ADF was rigorous and far reaching. He said now he is looking forward to working together with Luxottica to deliver world-class eye health to the defence force personnel throughout Australia.
“This contract is an exciting opportunity for all parties involved. It will enable the delivery of quality care across a full range of health services including prevention, treatment and rehabilitation for both physical and mental health. This service would not be possible without the expertise of our subcontractors and we are looking forward to working together to ensure better health outcomes for all ADF personnel. ”said Mr Savvides.
Luxottica, through its 388 OPSM store network, will offer eye services – including eye tests, frames and lenses and access to eye health scans – exclusively to more than 80,000 ADF personnel each year.
Luxottica’s Chief Executive Officer of Asia Pacific, Chris Beer, said: “our agreement to provide optical services to the Australian Defence Force as a sub-contractor to Medibank is exclusive, and is due to our proven track record with the ADF in Western Australia and South Australia, extensive geographical reach, superior high-quality product offering and Australia’s largest team of expert optometrists. Our continued drive is to raise the standard of eye care for all Australians and we are proud to be caring for the eyes of Australia’s Defence personnel.”
From 1 September 2012, Luxottica’s off-base optical services will be available to all ADF personnel who will be able to select optical and sunglass frames from a wide range.
Mr. Beer said: “We have a very clear vision for the future and we are pleased the ADF contract is a part of it. We are always looking for opportunities to further enhance our retail footprint for our national OPSM brand and for our Laubman & Pank brand in its traditional home States of South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.”
