The decision of Boots Opticians not to renew its current contract with Hoya UK could result in job losses at the lens manufacturer's Wrexham plant.
Hoya revealed to Optician that Boots Opticians' decision came following extensive negotiations between the two companies. Hoya's UK managing director Martin Batho said: 'We are particularly disappointed in the outcome of our negotiations with Boots Opticians given that a key driver for us was to secure jobs in Wrexham.
'We are unable to comment at the moment regarding the potential impact that this has on our employees as the matter is subject to the terms of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) regulations. Our objective now is to ensure that any employees affected by this decision are provided with all the assistance they need to come to terms with the implications of the legislation.'
Asked to comment on the decision not to renew the contract with Hoya UK, a Boots spokesperson said: 'Following a very thorough tendering process in relation to our future supply chain, we can now confirm that we have appointed Essilor as our new supply chain partner. We'll begin to work with Essilor, our people and our other supply chain partners on the transition to a new supply chain.'
Batho explained that Hoya's long-term strategy was to continue to invest in the Wrexham facility and local workforce and the company would continue to focus on growing the independent opticians sector of the UK market. 'At Hoya we have a reputation which is the envy of the optical industry and is due to the commitment and dedication of our team at Wrexham,' he said.
The news comes only two months after Hoya ceased to supply Asda Opticians. However, Hoya told Optician that the Asda contract was supplied from Hoya's Thailand plant so it had no impact on the UK workforce.
Hoya UK was the recipient of the Boots' supplier of the year award in 2008.