New Ultralase Clinics Open


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New Ultralase ClinicLeeds based vision correction firm ULTRALASE – the company which introduced laser eye surgery to the UK – now has its gaze set firmly on Europe.

Established in 1991, the firm has 27 clinics in the UK and is the sole laser eye-correction company endorsed by the opticians Dollond and Aitchison, in addition to another 300 independent UK opticians. They are also the only treatment provider to have its results verified by an independent body.

The company, majority owned by private equity firm 3i, recently brought ‘Eye Laser Ireland’ for an undisclosed amount. This move gives it four clinics in the Irish Republic, making it the country’s largest provider of laser eye surgery. The business already had clinics in Waterford and Cork, purchased from the Quality Healthcare Group in 2008.

Chief executive Tony Veverka has stated that “For Ultralase, this takeover represents a clear vision of our wish to establish a network of clinics in Ireland.” Mr Veverka – a former head of sales at Bupa – also declared that ventures into Europe are “definitely on the horizon” for the company, whose turnover is “north of £50 million”.

However, it seems geographical expansion is only one part of Ultralase’s campaign plan.

The chief executive added that Ultralase is also looking to introduce new services and products, saying: “A growing part of the business is in inter-ocular work, which is more invasive eye surgery for refractive error”. Mr Veverka also told how the company is investing into research and development around presbyopia (an age related condition in which the eye’s lens loses elasticity, creating the need for reading glasses) – which is historically incurable.

The final side of the plan is to widen Ultralase’s distribution, asserts Mr Veverka. He says that “Our predominant route to market is still TV. In terms of brand building and awareness, we do far more online, [where] people research the sector and procedure.” Though he also cites personal recommendation and word of mouth as important; fair enough – as the company’s surveys claim that 98.8% of its patients recommend them to friends and family.

Along with the ‘strategic alliance’ with Dollond and Aitchison, Ultralase is opening discussions with the NHS, as well as private medical insurance companies, about providing cataract work.

Given the company’s success – they are at the top end of the laser vision-correction market, and have fared well in the economic downturn, Mr Veverka alleging that the company “saw it coming very early and figured it would affect us” – it looks likely they will succeed in all these areas.

21st July 2009

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