Specsavers has purchased the six Torga Optical outlets in New Zealand, allowing it to enter the market six months earlier than originally planned.
Specsavers co-founder Doug Perkins and Torga Optical general manager Brendan Thompson jointly announced the acquisition on August 8, Specsavers entered the New Zealand market in July.
The chain started with a single practice set up by South Africans Tracy and Brendan Thompson in 2002.In December 2007 the pair went into partnership with the South African-based company Torga to build a small chain of joint-venture stores.
Thompson said: 'We've admired Specsavers from afar for a long time now, so joining their New Zealand optical revolution is a natural step for us.'
The six practices will be completely re-fitted under Specsavers livery and receive full support from the company'sNew Zealandteam. Perkins said he was amazed at the numbers attending the Specsavers roadshowin Auckland. He said it was bigger than any of the Australian roadshow events.