Nova HQ to close with David Thomas merger

Nova Contact Lenses is to close its Hemel Hempstead facility when it 'merges' with David Thomas Contact Lenses. The deal will see Nova's business incorporated into David Thomas Contact Lenses after the closure of the Nova headquarters on October 29. The new company, which will operate from November 1, will be based at the present David Thomas Northampton headquarters. A spokesman said: 'All existing products and services of both companies will remain available. 'The management of both companies are confident that the merger will create a new dynamic specialist contact lens manufacturer, offering high quality contact lenses and exceptional personal customer service.' Nova was established in 1992 by partners Graham Avery and Peter Rolfe. The business boasted over 80 years of experience in contact lens manufacture, manufacturing RGP and soft contact lenses. The current directors of David Thomas Contact Lenses Ð William Thomas, Kevin Mitchell and Doreen Browne Ð will be joined by Avery and Rolfe who will become directors themselves. William Thomas said: 'The merged organisations will combine a wealth of experience with a strong product range and create one of the largest independent contact lens manufacturing companies in the UK. 'David Thomas will become the sole manufacturer and distributor in the UK of the Rose K2 Keratoconus system, the most popular and successful keratoconus lens worldwide. The extended range includes a wide choice of gas-permeable materials and designs together with moulded and lathe cut soft and specialist lenses. We are all excited about the opportunity to grow this business.' Avery said: 'The combined forces of both teams will enable David Thomas to further grow the Rose K2 market in the UK and firmly establish David Thomas as one of the major GP contact lens manufacturers in the UK and Europe. 'The GP contact lens market is a profitable product for the practitioner, and we shall strive to introduce new products and designs in the near future. We want to encourage practitioners to consider GP contact lenses as a first choice for their patients.'