Clement Clarke gives way to Haag-Streit UK

One of the oldest names in the ophthalmic instrument market will disappear at the end of the year when Clement Clarke's Ophthalmic Division changes its name to Haag-Streit UK. The name change is part of a global policy by Haag-Streit, which has owned Clement Clarke since 1989, to harmonise the names of its subsidiaries around the world. Swiss parent Haag-Streit was founded in 1858 and is a world leader in slit lamps, tonometry and perimetry. Krysten Williams, sales and marketing manager for Clement Clarke International, said the Haag-Streit name was strong in ophthalmology while Clement Clarke had strength in its products and services to optometrists. 'We are planning a strong campaign to optometrists with the message that this is the best of both worlds,' she said. Clement Clarke was founded in 1917 and built a reputation in instruments before building a 102-practice strong optometry chain which was eventually sold to Boots.