MEDIA RELEASE PR37160
Menicon to Acquire David Thomas Contact Lenses Ltd., Major U.K. Custom Lens Manufacturer
NAGOYA, Japan. Nov. 19 /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/--
-Deal provides base of operations for Menicon's expansion in U.K.-
Menicon Co., Ltd. (Menicon) and David Thomas Contact Lenses Ltd. (DTCL) announced on November 19 that
the two companies reached agreement on November 16, 2009 for Menicon to acquire 100% of the ownership
of DTCL. The acquisition of DTCL will enable Menicon to build on DTCL's successful business in the U.K.
and abroad. Menicon has an important presence in the European rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens and lens
care market, though not in the U.K. The existing directors and staff will remain with DTCL and customers will
continue to receive the same levels of service as before. All existing DTCL products will continue to be
available and, over time, other products from Menicon will be introduced through DTCL, including Menicon's
growing range of soft contact lenses.
Mr. William Thomas, Managing Director of DTCL, commented: "We are very excited and pleased about the
acquisition as it will bring additional skills, expertise and resources to enable DTCL to continue growing and
innovating in the custom contact lens field. We see the acquisition as a new beginning, which will strengthen
DTCL and make available to our customers an exciting new range of products."
Dr. Hidenari Tanaka, President of Menicon, added: "We have watched David Thomas Contact Lenses evolve
into a leading specialty lens manufacturer in the U.K. and we see great potential to work together with DTCL to
grow Menicon's business in this very important market. The quality of its products and the business model fits
very well into our company culture. We are extremely pleased to be able to work with William Thomas and his
excellent team in Northampton to further grow their specialty business while taking on the responsibility for
growing Menicon's U.K. business. I am confident that both Menicon and DTCL will benefit substantially from
the synergy of working together as part of the same family."
About DTCL:
making contact lenses since 1972. Today, it is one of the largest independent manufacturers of custom lenses
in the U.K., supplying a wide range of both gas permeable (GP) and soft lenses. DTCL is the largest
supplier of Keratoconus contact lenses in the U.K., marketed under the Rose K brand. DTCL is also the
leading exporter of Rose K lenses, with customers in 47 countries.
About Menicon:
Menicon Co., Ltd. (www.menicon.com), founded by Mr. Kyoichi Tanaka in 1951, is Japan's first and largest
contact lens manufacturer, and now is represented in over 30 countries. Menicon is a manufacturer dedicated
to all areas of soft and GP contact lens related businesses including material development, lens designing,
and manufacturing of contact lenses and care solutions. Menicon is a world leader in the development of
hyper-Dk GP (Menicon Z) and soft contact lenses (Menicon PremiO).
SOURCE: Menicon Co., Ltd.
Contact:
Toshio Matsushima
Global Strategies & Operations
Menicon Co., Ltd.
Phone: +81-52-937-5021
Fax: +81-52-935-1121
E-mail: matsushima@menicon-net.co.jp
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