WEST COVINA, Calif.—The PERC+IVA optometric alliance reports that it reached a milestone in May this year when the group brought on its 3,000th member.

PERC was founded in 2008 by David Golden, OD and Howard Stein, OD. That same year, IVA was founded by Richard Frieder, OD, and Aaron Sako, OD. In 2013, the two groups formed a strategic alliance to further leverage their purchasing power and value proposition to independent practices, providing tools that help these practices remain competitive in an increasingly challenging business climate. In November of 2015, as VMail reported, Essilor acquired a majority interest in PERC+IVA.

“We are excited that PERC+IVA grew to 3,000 members so quickly, as it speaks volumes about the work of our dedicated team and the value our organization delivers to its members and to their independent practices,” said Golden, president of PERC+IVA. Stein added, “The independent faces increasing competitive pressure, greater operational complexity and increasing equipment and operating costs. We’re the only optometric alliance that’s free to join and gives members a suite of powerful and effective tools to compete.”

In addition to significant group purchasing programs, PERC+IVA launched their Advantage Frame distribution program in 2015. PERC and IVA Advantage inventories the best-selling styles from a portfolio of branded lines spanning core to luxury, including some international brands that are exclusive to PERC+IVA members. Frames are warehoused centrally with ophthalmic lenses and an integrated laboratory. Turnaround time has been radically reduced to just days, back orders have been virtually eliminated and frame shipping is always free.

The Advantage distribution programs provide efficiencies and buying power to PERC+IVA members that had been realized by large chains, the group pointed out. “We are changing the way independent offices procure product,” said Golden. It also creates buying patterns that increase sales, improve capture rates and ultimately delivers added profit margins to the practice. “Advantage is only one of many business tools PERC+IVA is currently developing that are critical to the success of the independents’ ability to compete on value and service levels,” he added.