Kowa Optimed is to take over distribution of its optical diagnostic instruments in the UK through a wholly owned subsidiary in readiness for major new product launches over the coming months.
The company has a long relationship with its current distributor, Keeler, and the two are working together on a smooth handover of customer care and support ahead of an official launch of the new business in Berkshire later this year.
Sales and marketing manager Abdul Jahangir said sales and support staff were currently being recruited in sufficient numbers to grow the business and fully support all existing Kowa customers.
The decision to set up the subsidiary was made by the $2bn family-owned Japanese conglomerate as part of a global strategy to grow business outside of Japan. The UK and Germany will be the first countries to convert to the new structure for optical instruments in Europe. Kowa makes a range of products from pharmaceuticals and IOLs to LED lighting systems and clothing but it also has a reputation for quality optics.
Bob Ireland, managing director of Kowa Optimed Europe, said Kowa had a mass of new software based technologies in the pipeline that would transform the way optical instrumentation could be used for diagnosis of diseases such as glaucoma, diabetes and macular degeneration.
He added that Kowa would be complementing its current line-up of equipment with new products to make it a one-stop-shop for optical instruments. This line-up will also include the 3D fundus camera it recently demonstrated at the Eurentina congress in London.
Looking forward to the change of distribution, Ireland said: 'One of the reasons for this move is that we have a number of new products in the pipeline which they [distributors] are not geared up to support.' He suggested these were in the field of image capture, storage and analysis software which would link up all types of practice instrumentation. Kowa has been invited by the NHS to demonstrate trials of the software which could be launched as early as next year.
Jahangir said customers in the UK could be assured of a smooth handover: 'Keeler has done a fantastic job for us and we want a slow transition so there is no lack of support.'
Ireland said discussions were taking place about the handover. 'The sales force will be in place by September and we will be out there banging the bushes.'