CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France--Essilor
of America, the U.S. subsidiary of Essilor International [ISIN: FR
0000121667], has acquired a majority stake in OOGP, a major
distributor of contact lenses, pharmaceuticals, ophthalmic
instruments and healthcare supplies based in Grants Pass, Ore. The
transaction price was not announced.
|
Kenji
Hamada |
Along with OOGP’s distribution
business, Essilor is acquiring the OOGP buying group, its first
venture into the buying group business.
Essilor executives declined to
specify how many members are in the group, or elaborate on any
future plans for it. The group is serviced by vendors of frames,
contact lenses and laboratory services.
The acquisition of OOGP will expand
Essilor’s services business for independent eyecare
professionals in the U.S. by extending the distribution network for
contact lenses and ophthalmic products that was launched with
Essilor’s acquisition of the Nassau Vision Group in
2003.
“This acquisition is in line
with Essilor’s dedication to providing quality products and
services to eyecare professionals,” said John Carrier,
president EOA. “OOGP will continue with business as usual,
with no changes to current business strategies.”
OOGP is one of the largest contact
lens distributors in the U.S. Created in 1985, the company has 120
employees and three distribution and customer service facilities in
Oregon, Alabama and Hawaii. It will add approximately $50 million
to Essilor’s revenue.
The company is a leader in
incorporating computer technology warehouse automation and online
ordering both in B2B and B2B2C, according to Essilor.
Dr. Kenji Hamada will remain
president of OOGP, and the company’s current management team
will remain in place. OOGP will operate as an independent
subsidiary of EOA; customers, suppliers, and other business
partners will continue to interface with OOGP as they do currently,
according to Essilor
“We are excited for our
employees and customers as this is another step toward future
growth and success,” said Hamada, who is president OOGP.
“Through this acquisition Essilor and OOGP will be able to
provide an even broader service network to the industry on a
national and regional level.”
Hamada, together with Francois Bes
de Berc, president of Nassau, will develop the contact lens
distribution business and explore every opportunity to increase and
improve offers and services to eyecare professionals
coast-to-coast.