Gelflex Laboratories has acquired the business of Australian Contact Lenses (ACL) in Victoria.
According to Gelflex, the acquisition provides it with “the strength and critical mass to rejuvenate the Australian custom contact lens industry for the benefit of optometrists and patients”.
Gelflex Laboratories director David Masel said the acquisition would allow Gelflex to invest further in training and support to optometrists.
He said assisting optometrists with new products and support services would ultimately enable them to run more successful businesses and provide greater benefits to patients.
“Despite the growth in disposable contact lenses, Gelflex remains 100 per cent committed to the custom lens business and we see great potential within the industry,” said Mr. Masel.
“Innovative products like OrthoK continue to grow and offer opportunities for optometrists that online sales can never provide.”
Gelflex, Australia’s largest custom contact lens manufacturer, currently exports 25 per cent of its custom contact lenses to various countries, including the USA through its subsidiary Gelflex USA.
In 2012, Gelflex took over the RGP business from Coopervision in South Australia – a move which enabled Gelflex to continue to offer Coopervision custom lens designs to optometrists across Australia.
“Our commitment to growing custom contact lenses is not only here in Australia, it’s a global strategy and we remain proud of the fact that consumers around the world are wearing Australian made contact lenses,” said Mr. Masel.
“We are exporting to over 35 countries and in the process of finalising agreements with groups in Japan and China for distribution of our custom lenses, so it’s an exciting time for the business.”
Mr. Masel said for now it is business as usual for optometrists working with ACL and Gelflex, with positive changes in the months ahead to make doing business even better.
