Following last yearÕs merger of international frame companies Filos, Metzler and Moulin International, Filos UK is preparing to move into MetzlerÕs Birmingham offices later this month. The deal to create the fourth largest optical group in the world was announced last October (News, October 26, 2001), and Filos UKÕs move from Somerset is a positive one, said MetzlerÕs sales and marketing director Geoff Thomas.ÔIt is Metzler InternationalÕs belief,Õ he said, Ôthat by bringing over 20 major brands together it will be much more beneficial to their customers in the future as they will be able to give added value and keener pricing along with the service that opticians would expect from one of the largest optical manufacturers in the world.ÕFor a period, existing Filos telephone numbers will be re-directed to Birmingham to assist with ordering, with practitioners able to order frames on the old numbers up to and including April 26. At close of business on April 26, all FilosÕ stock will be moved to Birmingham to open at the Fairgate House premises on April 29. Brands that Metzler and Filos distribute include Vivienne Westwood, Kappa, Jeff Banks, Benetton and Revlon.