TOKYO, April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Hoya Corporation's Vision Care Division, a key player in the
global market for ophthalmic lenses, today announced the
acquisition of Optotal Hoya S.A., its exclusive partner in
Brazil. Optotal operates the
largest prescription lens (Rx) laboratory and one of the largest
wholesale distribution networks in the ophthalmic lens market in
Brazil.
HOYA's cooperation with Optotal started in 1992 with a
distributorship agreement and continued with a successful Rx
manufacturing joint-venture established in 2007. Since then,
Optotal has rapidly become a significant market player in
Brazil with a leading position in
the market segment of premium progressive lenses.
Optotal employs 400 people and generated an average annual sales
growth rate of 28% since 2008.
With the acquisition of Optotal, HOYA will have a strong
footprint in South America and
will pursue aggressive expansion opportunities in the fast-growing
Brazilian market. By the year 2013, the total population of
Brazil is forecast to exceed 200
million inhabitants, with the number of consumers aged 45 years and
older --- the target market for progressive lenses --- exceeding 57
million.
Dr. Carlos Bessa, Founder and CEO
of Optotal, said: "We look forward to expanding our
partnership with Hoya Vision Care and building upon the great
success we have enjoyed for 20 years. Our Team is very
excited to join the Hoya family. We cherish close
relationships with our customers, and are highly committed to
enriching their practices with best-in-class lens materials,
designs and surface treatments."
Gerald W. Bottero, President and
CEO of Hoya Vision Care, said: "The acquisition of Optotal is an
important step for HOYA in setting the basis for future growth
within the BRIC countries. We look forward to working with
Dr. Bessa and his Team to expand our platform of high quality
lenses and services in Brazil.
We plan to further strengthen the premium position
established by Optotal with continuous product innovation, trade
and consumer education, and more points-of-presence."
About Hoya Corporation:
Founded in 1941, Hoya Corporation (Tokyo: 7741) is a global med-tech company and
the leading supplier of innovative and indispensable high-tech
products and services based on its optics technologies. Hoya is
active in the fields of Life Care and Information Technology
providing eyeglasses, medical endoscopic system, intraocular
lenses, optical lenses as well as key components for the
semiconductor devices, LCD panels and HDDs. Hoya now has about 100
subsidiaries and affiliates, and employs over 34,000 people
worldwide. In last fiscal year ending March
2011 Hoya has recorded JPY 413.3
billion in sales on continuing operations.
SOURCE Hoya Corporation
