Lenstec is the largest independent manufacturer of spectacle lenses in the UK and, despite being around for many years, is only now becoming widely known in the profession. With the rapid expansion of its product list and its adoption of the latest technology in manufacturing and lens design, the company is now being recognised as a key player in the supply of quality products to the UK practitioner.
Despite this rapid growth, the company is absolutely determined to maintain the personalised hands-on approach with its customers that has ensured customer loyalty over the years – something that managing director Nigel Castle was keen to emphasise.
Personal touch
‘Customers like the direct contact with us,’ Castle explained, ‘and our flexibility and independence has earned the trust of our customers.’ Lenstec prides itself on offering branded alongside non-branded products, and do so on the perceived needs of each customer. After first contact, there is always a visit to a customer’s practice, to assess their patient base and suggest the most appropriate products to help develop the business. ‘We offer a complete support package, and our technical support team stay with the customer and monitor progress to ensure that the service provided is appropriate and flexible,’ said Castle.
‘We keep further contact via a dedicated monthly newsletter,’ added technical and sales director Paul Walden, ‘and the boss always does a Christmas visit.’ This tailored personalised approach would be of little worth unless Lenstec backed it up with high quality products. ‘We have invested heavily in the best equipment for lens manufacture in the UK,’ Walden continued, ‘including a recent £500k investment in the MEI 5 axis technology and our Nidek SE1 dry cut edgers put us way ahead of the opposition – rather than playing catch-up. This allows us to run a 24-hour operation providing a quick turnaround while our customer is asleep.’
MD Nigel Castle and Paul Walden
Rapid growth
Nigel Castle has seen the company evolve from the beginning. ‘Established in 1983 as a local lab serving some 10 independent opticians, I joined the company as the fourth staff member four years later. The aim then was to build the business locally in South Wales. Lens production really took off in 1990 and Lenstec moved to larger facilities in Bedwas and Caerphilly, and by 2009 the company had expanded to provide for the whole UK, implementing five delivery runs that still hold strong today.’
In 2010, Lenstec acquired Tant Optical Laboratories with their reputation for supplying quality lenses UK-wide, and also that year took delivery of a first MEI Bisphera edger. In 2014 Lenstec purchased the assets of the Rayner Opticians manufacturing plant (Rawdon Optical) and acquired a state of the art digital production and glazing platform, predominately building business in the North.
The Lenstec Optical Group now employs some 195 staff across all three sites and is considered to be one of the largest growing independent labs in the UK, working with many key suppliers, including Shamir, Essilor, Seiko and Youngers. Lenstec has seen considerable growth year on year supplying key services to the independent optical sector. ‘We provide consistent service levels and quality as a key strength. Also, the three group labs are training providers for the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers and ABDO training courses.’
Specialisation
Lenstec continues to expand into more specialised areas, including sports vision (with an array of selective tint options) and protective eye wear products including an exciting new short wavelength absorbing material – BLU+V. They are redeveloping protective eyewear for industry, and in a couple of months will be launching a new range of modern protective appliances – ‘upgrading safety to be more modern and relevant.’
Walden suggested, ‘the number one aim is for Lenstec to become the first point of call for the complete glazed packages – frame and lenses for dresswear sports or protection.’ But always the personal touch is there – a good example is the free provision of left and right lens engraving for lenses to be dispensed to the housebound and elderly patients.
Further information go to lenstec.co.uk