“The global optical lens market – including microscopy, contact lens, laser processing, and binocular imaging, among other functions – was estimated to be worth a massive US$12,390 million in 2021 and is forecast to reach US$20,380 million by 2028.1
Within this market, a small number of Australian lens laboratories have created sustainable businesses by carving out niche segments and focusing on providing customers with expert advice and personalised service.
When you talk to Australian lens lab owners, there’s a common thread that runs through the conversations. They’re all passionate about what they’re doing, fascinated by the challenges that come with designing and engineering niche lenses, and unconcerned about the global players knocking on the doors of their customers’ businesses.
Adam Fletcher, Managing Director at CR Surfacing, said a passionate team and being small enough to maintain a flexible approach to manufacturing has been critical to his company’s success. “For us, it’s all about being small and nimble, with the least amount of overhead, to quickly implement new strategies and adapt to customer needs. My father established the lab in 1976 and in 2006, we made a decision to automate as many processes as we could; these days, we have the latest equipment from the global market, ensuring the highest level of precision with each lens. I believe that having done this, we have reduced human error to the minimum, and freed up time for staff development and training. Many of the staff we have, have been with us for 10, 15 or even 30 years, so they’re constantly adjusting to and learning innovations. They are like family,” he said.
“It’s renowned to be the world’s best. However, as an independent lab we are not contractually obliged to any suppliers so we can source from different companies if we believe their product will deliver a better result. It’s all about being flexible,” Mr Fletcher said.CR Surfacing “almost exclusively” uses Schneider equipment.
BUY LOCAL, A GROWING TREND
Although marketing budgets are a challenge for all independent labs, it seems the pandemic has helped generate local awareness and support for their businesses.
In fact, at CR Surfacing, Mr Fletcher says he has noticed significant growth in local demand since the beginning of the pandemic. “I think we’ve all become more used to buying local – whether it’s groceries from the local IGA or Australian made products in a retail store. Whereas pre- COVID, I’d estimate ‘buying Australian’ contributed about 10% to a buying decision, today it seems more like 80%.”
Taking advantage of the ‘buy local’ sentiment, CR Surfacing recently launched a new progressive lens called Australis, which will expand to a range of lens designs specifically developed for the unique lifestyle of Australians. In the second quarter of this year, CR Surfacing will launch Grouse; a photochromic coating that can be applied to any lens, and is designed to conquer the harsh Australian conditions and the extreme levels of UV exposure unique to our country.
The company has also invested in television commercials, running regionally and in metro areas, that promote buying local.
“Besides being local and offering premium products, we’re also hitting a chord with our focus on sustainable sourcing, manufacturing, and supply. We reuse and recycle as much as we can. Lens labs typically use a high volume of water but by implementing water saving strategies, we’re saving half a million litres of water a year. We’re also disposing of waste in an environmentally safe way. Our administration is now completely paperless, and we are moving toward digital advertising as much as possible. Our eco-friendly EVA plastic packaging breaks down quickly once wet, and all Australis lenses are dispatched in a cloth bag that we ask customers to return to us to be washed, pressed and re-used.” Additionally, Mr Fletcher said his company only partners with suppliers that share the same values when it comes to sustainability.
“Our customers appreciate the high quality of our products that are manufactured in Australia, our ethical sourcing, and the implementation of sustainable practices. Overall, we have a great story to tell.”
Optometrists often come to us with unusual requests, or I see an opportunity and decide to create something new.