Weco offers practices more buying power

Instrument and machinery supplier Weco's initiative will see 15-20 'selective' practices become 'Weco Superstores'. Owners purchase all their required testing and lab equipment from Weco at a loyalty rate, and receive full support and advice from the company.
Weco said the competitive market in which it operated, as well as that faced by independent practitioners, brought about the new venture.
Regional sales manager Ron Wright explained: 'The idea is to give independent practices a fighting chance in the market through our products, service, experience and support. They are no longer disadvantaged by the buying power of the multiples.'
The first 'Superstore', modern start-up practice Stepneyes Opticians in East London, opened last Friday (February 27) with a ceremony attended by the local mayor, Weco senior staff and friends and family.
The practice, owned by optometrists Raj Bharaj and Gurjit Samra, has two fully Weco-equipped testing rooms and a lab on-site.
Bharaj said: 'Gurjit and I met at university some years ago, and we've finally decided to open our own practice. Being a Weco Superstore is brilliant, and it has really helped to have this support when we started out.'
Stepneyes Opticians became the first practice 'by chance'. Wright said: 'We had been thinking about doing it for six to eight months. Raj and Gurjit called about their new practice, and it was good timing.
'We saw the practice was a good size and this was a good opportunity for both parties. The practice needed the products and the help. We also offer the peace of mind, they only make one phone call to solve a problem. It's like a family.'
He added: 'As a company we have to get products into the market and teach practitioners how to use them. The Superstores will allow us to do that, as we will be bringing potential customers to Stepneyes so they can see for themselves. It also gives us an opportunity to test new equipment.'
Weco is not financially involved in this practice, nor will it be in any future Superstores. It plans to open 15 to 20 more across the UK, but is not ruling out the possibility of greater demand.
The company said the concept would best suit new practices, because of the difficulties starting out, but was also suitable for those upgrading or refurbishing. The success of the project may also lead to Weco rolling it out in other countries.
samantha.daltonrbi.co.ukA new scheme has been launched to give independent practices a 'fighting chance' to compete with multiples when purchasing their equipment.
Instrument and machinery supplier Weco's initiative will see 15-20 'selective' practices become 'Weco Superstores'. Owners purchase all their required testing and lab equipment from Weco at a loyalty rate, and receive full support and advice from the company.
Weco said the competitive market in which it operated, as well as that faced by independent practitioners, brought about the new venture.
Regional sales manager Ron Wright explained: 'The idea is to give independent practices a fighting chance in the market through our products, service, experience and support. They are no longer disadvantaged by the buying power of the multiples.'
The first 'Superstore', modern start-up practice Stepneyes Opticians in East London, opened last Friday (February 27) with a ceremony attended by the local mayor, Weco senior staff and friends and family.
The practice, owned by optometrists Raj Bharaj and Gurjit Samra, has two fully Weco-equipped testing rooms and a lab on-site.
Bharaj said: 'Gurjit and I met at university some years ago, and we've finally decided to open our own practice. Being a Weco Superstore is brilliant, and it has really helped to have this support when we started out.'
Stepneyes Opticians became the first practice 'by chance'. Wright said: 'We had been thinking about doing it for six to eight months. Raj and Gurjit called about their new practice, and it was good timing.
'We saw the practice was a good size and this was a good opportunity for both parties. The practice needed the products and the help. We also offer the peace of mind, they only make one phone call to solve a problem. It's like a family.'
He added: 'As a company we have to get products into the market and teach practitioners how to use them. The Superstores will allow us to do that, as we will be bringing potential customers to Stepneyes so they can see for themselves. It also gives us an opportunity to test new equipment.'
Weco is not financially involved in this practice, nor will it be in any future Superstores. It plans to open 15 to 20 more across the UK, but is not ruling out the possibility of greater demand.
The company said the concept would best suit new practices, because of the difficulties starting out, but was also suitable for those upgrading or refurbishing. The success of the project may also lead to Weco rolling it out in other countries.
samantha.daltonrbi.co.ukA new scheme has been launched to give independent practices a 'fighting chance' to compete with multiples when purchasing their equipment.
Instrument and machinery supplier Weco's initiative will see 15-20 'selective' practices become 'Weco Superstores'. Owners purchase all their required testing and lab equipment from Weco at a loyalty rate, and receive full support and advice from the company.
Weco said the competitive market in which it operated, as well as that faced by independent practitioners, brought about the new venture.
Regional sales manager Ron Wright explained: 'The idea is to give independent practices a fighting chance in the market through our products, service, experience and support. They are no longer disadvantaged by the buying power of the multiples.'
The first 'Superstore', modern start-up practice Stepneyes Opticians in East London, opened last Friday (February 27) with a ceremony attended by the local mayor, Weco senior staff and friends and family.
The practice, owned by optometrists Raj Bharaj and Gurjit Samra, has two fully Weco-equipped testing rooms and a lab on-site.
Bharaj said: 'Gurjit and I met at university some years ago, and we've finally decided to open our own practice. Being a Weco Superstore is brilliant, and it has really helped to have this support when we started out.'
Stepneyes Opticians became the first practice 'by chance'. Wright said: 'We had been thinking about doing it for six to eight months. Raj and Gurjit called about their new practice, and it was good timing.
'We saw the practice was a good size and this was a good opportunity for both parties. The practice needed the products and the help. We also offer the peace of mind, they only make one phone call to solve a problem. It's like a family.'
He added: 'As a company we have to get products into the market and teach practitioners how to use them. The Superstores will allow us to do that, as we will be bringing potential customers to Stepneyes so they can see for themselves. It also gives us an opportunity to test new equipment.'
Weco is not financially involved in this practice, nor will it be in any future Superstores. It plans to open 15 to 20 more across the UK, but is not ruling out the possibility of greater demand.
The company said the concept would best suit new practices, because of the difficulties starting out, but was also suitable for those upgrading or refurbishing. The success of the project may also lead to Weco rolling it out in other countries.
samantha.daltonrbi.co.uk