More Images
CALGARY, Alberta—FYidoctors | Visique, an optometrist-owned eyecare company based here, has added Factory Optical | Optiks International, a 24-location Western Canadian optical chain, to its growing network of optometric clinics, according to an announcement this week. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The addition of the Factory Optical | Optiks International chain brings the network of FYidoctors | Visique to more than 225 clinics, 500 doctors and 2,500 employees serving patients' needs and consumers across Canada, the announcement noted.

The organization continues to focus on one core value: to enhance the lives of its patients by delivering outstanding eyecare, products and services.

According to its website, Factory Optical began in 1999 with one location, an antiquated lens fabrication lab, three full-time employees and a vision to build a customer-focused, market-leading company. The group has grown to 24 retail locations in Western Canada, which now have onsite optometrists in all but one location, lens fabrication labs in each, in-house digital lens surfacing, the largest dispensaries in Canada and “the fastest- growing Rx safety eyewear company in Canada.”

The company calls itself “a chain of neighborhood stores.”

“This is an exciting time for both Factory Optical and the optical industry on the whole,” Stephen McIntosh, president and founder of Factory Optical, said in the announcement. “Joining forces with the world’s largest optometrist-owned eyecare company brings our customers tremendous value through increased selection, state of the art lens manufacturing and eyecare technology. We look forward to continuing to deliver on consumers’ eyecare needs with the bench strength that FYidoctors brings.”

Dr. Alan Ulsifer, chairman and chief executive officer of FYidoctors, noted that Factory Optical has created a highly successful business by focusing on the needs of the consumer.

He added, “Our businesses are fully aligned as FYidoctors focuses on delivering exceptional eye health care and offering its patients and consumers a wide array of exciting, innovative and fashionable products. The partnering of these two entities brings value to both organizations and, most importantly, to the quality of eyecare for Canadians.”