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How it All Started
ABB OPTICAL GROUP is the nation's largest leading distributor of optical products, including contact lenses, ophthalmic lenses, frames, sunglasses, accessories and contact lens solutions. Our dynamic vision care organization also manufactures Gas Permeable (GP) contact lenses and our computerized free form digital eye lab handcrafts and creates state-of-the-art custom eye wear. The company's impressive growth over the years is attributable to our customer-centric management style, providing products and services that help eye care professionals manage their practices most efficiently, effectively and profitably.
ABB's distribution business had its roots in the 1989 purchase of Co-Optics Distribution by ABB's founder, Angel Alvarez, initiating more than two decades of expansion. The company increased its base of operations significantly with the April 1998 acquisition of RLI Vision, an RGP lab and ophthalmic products distribution business in Massachusetts.
ABB gained a strong West Coast presence in September 2002, with its acquisition of the C&E Vision Group's contact lens distribution division in San Clemente, California. In September and October of 2003, ABB bought the contact lens distribution arm of Optical Supply Buying Group and Contact Optical, respectively, adding numerous mid-west customers to its expanding eye care provider list. In June of 2005, ABB completed its acquisition of Wise Optical of Yonkers, New York.
In April of 2007, ABB Optical and CON-CISE Contact Lens Company, a leader in GP manufacturing and contact lens distribution on the West Coast, merged to form ABB CONCISE Optical Group LLC, the nation's largest contact lens distributor and Gas Permeable (GP) lens manufacturer. Primary Eyecare Network, a nationally recognized provider of practice enhancement products and services, located in San Ramon, CA, is a division of ABB CONCISE.
2012 was the most impressive in the company's history. In October 2012, private equity firm, New Mountain Capital of New York, recapitalized ABB CONCISE to support its continued growth and expansion. Two months later, ABB CONCISE merged with the nation's second largest contact lens distributor, Optical DIstributor Group (ODG) in Hawthorne, New York forming ABB OPTICAL GROUP. With this most recent merger, ABB OPTICAL GROUP now supplies more than 30,000 eye care professionals with their optical products.
Today, our customers span the nation. With hundreds of employees coast to coast and 21st century warehouse automation, we have built a loyal customer base by streamlining the ordering process with timely and accurate product delivery. Our strategic vision - understanding our customers and anticipating their needs - will ensure our continued success.
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