Menicon and David Thomas Contact Lenses (DTCL) have reached agreement for Menicon to acquire 100 per cent of DTCL.
Menicon, which has an important presence in the European RGP lens and lens care market (though not in the UK), said the acquisition would enable it to build on DTCL's successful business in the UK and abroad.
According to Menicon, DTCL directors and staff would remain with the company and its customers would continue to receive the same levels of service as before. It added that all existing DTCL products would continue to be available and over time other products from Menicon would be introduced through DTCL, including its growing range of soft contact lenses.
William Thomas, managing director of DTCL, said: 'We are very excited and pleased about the acquisition as it will bring additional skills, expertise and resources to enable DTCL to continue growing and innovating in the custom contact lens field. We see the acquisition as a new beginning, which will strengthen DTCL and make available to our customers an exciting new range of products.'
Dr Hiderani Tanaka, president of Menicon, added: 'We see great potential to work together with DTCL to grow Menicon's business in this very important market. The quality of its products and the business model fits very well into our company culture.'