ABB Optical, CON-CISE unite

Fort Lauderdale, FL, and San Leandro, CA-Contact lens distributors ABB Optical and Con-Cise Contact Lens have merged operations. The combined company, called ABB-CON-CISE, is now the largest U.S. contact lens distributor, serving more than 15,000 accounts representing nearly two-thirds of independent eye-care professionals (ECPs) and accounting for approximately 40% of distributor sales of soft lenses.

Executive leadership of ABB-CON-CISE includes Angel Alvarez, chief executive officer (CEO), and Carl Moore, president. Alvarez was CEO of ABB Optical, and Moore founded CON-CISE.

"ABB-CON-CISE will further improve service levels to ECPs through automation efficiencies and an enhanced ability to stock infrequently ordered lens parameters, which will increase order fill rates," Alvarez said. "Combining our marketing and sales resources will enable us to expand the range of services, programs, and consultation we provide customers to help them improve contact lens profitability. We also plan to upgrade our programs that facilitate online ordering and direct-to-patient delivery, vital to improving ECP office efficiency."

There are no plans for immediate changes in how customers will be served. Both ABB and CON-CISE accounts should continue to call the same customer service representatives or use the same online order sites. Products will continue to be shipped from the separate ABB and CON-CISE distribution centers. Pricing structures, special promotions, and billing will continue to be administered separately.