Menicon this week acquired 100% ownership of David Thomas Contact Lenses (DTCL) of Northampton. Japanese giant Menicon has an important presence in the European RGP lens and lens care market, though not in the UK until now.

The existing directors and staff will remain with DTCL and the company’s existing products will continue to be available but, over time, other products from Menicon will be introduced, including Menicon’s growing range of soft contact lenses.

MD of DTCL, William Thomas said: “We are very excited and pleased about the acquisition as it will bring additional skills, expertise and resources to enable DTCL to continue growing and innovating in the custom contact lens field. We see the acquisition as a new beginning which will strengthen DTCL and make available to our customers a new range of products.”

Menicon president, Dr Hiderani Tanaka, said: “We have watched David Thomas Contact Lenses evolve into a leading specialty lens manufacturer in the UK and we see great potential to work together with DTCL to grow Menicon’s business in this very important market. The quality of its products and the business model fits very well into our company culture. We are extremely pleased to be able to work with William Thomas and his excellent team in Northampton to further grow their specialty business while taking on the responsibility for growing Menicon’s UK business. I am confident that both Menicon and DTCL will benefit substantially from the synergy of working together as part of the same family.”

DTCL was founded by David Thomas and has been making contact lenses since 1972. It is one of the largest independent manufacturers of custom lenses in the UK, supplying a wide range of both gas permeable and soft lenses. It is the largest supplier of keratoconus contact lenses in the UK, marketed under the Rose K brand and is also the leading exporter of Rose K lenses, with customers in 47 countries.

Menicon Co., Ltd was founded by Kyoichi Tanaka in 1951 and is Japan’s first and largest contact lens manufacturer.

• Pictured is Menicon’s senior executive officer, Toshio Matsushima, right, and the general manager, global strategy and operations, Jonathan Jacobson, left, welcoming DTCL MD William Thomas, centre, into the Menicon group of companies.

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