Essilor acquires independent labs

Essilor has confirmed it is to acquire a controlling stake in two formerly independent prescription laboratories.

The move comes after weeks of speculation within the lens industry about a possible number of acquisitions of independent labs by the international lens giants.

Essilor International announced its intention to take an interest in Sinclair Optical Services (England) and United Optical (Northern Ireland).

A statement said both labs would continue to operate as independent companies with their own strategies and continue to offer a broad range of products. The management teams within both companies would also remain in place, and as members of a larger group the two labs would have the potential to tap into financial and technological resources.