Meet Optimum Coatings

The International Opticians Association is pleased to welcome Optimum Coatings as a sponsor. Founded in 2001, Optimum Rx is an independent ophthalmic manufacturing company based in Morecambe, Lancashire. Originally formed as a purely contract coating facility the business developed to provide a full “one stop shop” supplying any Rx lens requirements.

Meet the team

The Optimum Rx Group currently employs 64 people, 52 at its Morecambe facility and a further 12 at Vanalstynes in Blackpool, both in the North West of England. Paul Bailey is managing director of the company. Paul has established himself as a hands-on turnaround specialist and built a portfolio of businesses that he has invested in and successfully developed. Mark Marland is the sales director, with over 35 years’ experience across all aspects of the optical industry including sales, marketing, laboratory operations and production. He has had practical involvement in the end-to-end process, from manufacturing coating and glazing lenses through to dealing end-customers in retail stores. He brings expert knowledge of the sector along with insight into customer demands and industry trends.

Optimum was close to receivership when it was acquired by the current owners in 2011. To turnaround the business, a strategy was devised to transform the business from providing contract coating services into a profitable full-service manufacturer of lenses with the potential to grow. Since then, the business has grown five-fold.

The group now supplies into all corners of the UK market, including other laboratories, high street practices, and hospitals. Mark adds, “With our wide range of products and services we work with all types of practices offering solutions to their specialist needs, such as low vision, sports vision, domiciliary, high prescriptions and specialist filter tints as well as fashion.” Recent key additions to the business include two freeform production lines, special high Rx production and some exclusive new lens offerings.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the business. Mark says, “From the beginning of 2020 we experienced a reduction in the availability of certain lens types. As restrictions in movement have been enforced there was a cut in demand. From the outset of lockdown, although not economically viable, we continued to offer a full production service to support the hospitals, opticians and laboratories choosing to offer emergency eyecare to their patients.”

As the company has grown and diversified, Optimum has gained a reputation for producing high prescription and speciality lenses such as franklin splits, slab off, freeform prism controlled progressive and bifocals, blended lenticulars, sports lenses, polarising and photochromic lenses, along with speciality coatings and filter tints. On a day to day basis, Mark says, “There has been more interest recently in driving lenses and coatings. Our range of freeform lenses “optiFORM” is consistently growing due to its flexibility in design.” He adds, “Our technicians really enjoy the challenges in glazing new frame materials and designs. It’s all about the passion we drive throughout the business.”

Optimum always aims to go the extra mile for its customers. Mark says, “We always try our best to give the customer what they want, when they want it. If is not possible, we will always go back with a solution, taking the headache from the customer and giving them the opportunity to offer the best for their patients.”

If you want to find out more about Optimum, visit their website, where you’ll find all of the product literature.

You can also interact with Optimum on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, You Tube and LinkedIn.