PLAINVILLE, Mass.--The Hilsinger Company (Hilco), based here, has acquired Sadler Brothers, a leading supplier of hand tools, equipment, parts and supplies for eyewear manufacturing, processing, and dispensing. The purchase price was not announced.

Located in Attleboro, Mass., seven miles from Hilco, Sadler was founded in 1863 as a jewelry manufacturing company. In the 1920s, the company evolved into an eyewear component manufacturer, and later began manufacturing optical tools and supplies.

Sadler had been continuously owned and operated by the Sadler family for six generations. Sadler president and CEO Tom Sadler has become a director at Hilco. Several other Sadler staff members have also joined the company.

“The addition of Sadler provides more smart optical solutions for our valued customers and strengthens our industry leading professional accessories product line,” said Bob Nahmias, president of Hilsinger. “What’s more, we’re gaining highly experienced, valuable management talent to assist with the next stage of our growth.”

Sadler will continue to function independently until operations are fully integrated in the first quarter of 2008, according to Nahmias.

The Hilsinger Company is a leading supplier of consumer and professional eyewear accessories, protective eyewear, and eyecare products in North America and the U.K. In 2007, the company completed four acquisitions including Sadler, Franel Optical, Optical Warehouse, and OnGuard Safety, a major supplier of industrial safety eyewear.  ■