WATFORD, UK, January 11, 2013 – Optelec, the world’s leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of life-changing technologies for visually impaired people, becomes the primary distribution partner in the UK and Republic of Ireland for Schweizer, a global market leader and German manufacturer of optical solutions for improved vision.

This primary distribution partnership will see for the first time in the UK and Republic of Ireland Optelec distributing the leading Schweizer branded ranges of optical magnifiers, including SMD LED illuminated magnifiers with different light temperatures in the Őkolux plus mobil and Ökolux plus series.

“Schweizer and Optelec already enjoy a productive relationship in Canada and the United States of America”, commented Alfred Schüttinger, Managing Partner of Schweizer. “With Optelec holding a strong distribution presence in the UK and Republic of Ireland, this partnership announcement today is naturally the next step for both companies and we are delighted."

There are as many as 2 million people in the UK experiencing sight difficulties(1) meaning 1 in every 5 people over the age of 75 are totally blind or partially sighted.  Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of sight loss with many other people living with Glaucoma, Cataracts, Diabetic Retinopathy and Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP).

“The loss of sight is a life-changing experience, and quite often, those affected do not know where to turn”, commented Michiel van Schaik, CEO Optelec Holding.  “Optelec are delighted to be able to offer both optical and electronic magnifiers, where Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians can prescribe low vision aids and source from a single supplier.”

The Optelec UK operation already provides sales and warranty support to the many thousands of existing visually impaired customers through a dedicated service centre (based in Watford, Hertfordshire), and an experienced team of Sales Consultants serving all parts of the UK and Republic of Ireland. The addition of three Optelec Regional Consultants, highly experienced with the Schweizer product range, will focus entirely on the low vision optical range, now available from Optelec UK.

Paul Fletcher, Optelec’s UK Managing Director commented: “The addition of the Schweizer range of optical magnifiers will enable Optelec to offer a wider choice of low vision solutions to individuals, as well as eyecare, rehabilitation and specialist teaching professionals.

For more information contact:

Schweizer
Uwe Hanschmann, Managing Partner - ImproVision GmbH
u.hanschmann@improvision-lvs.com
Tel: +49 (0)9191 7210-56

Optelec Limited
Paul Fletcher, Managing Director
paulf@optelec.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1923 231313

About Schweizer:
Schweizer, a family company, was founded in Germany in 1840, and has been producing magnifiers since 1945. Schweizer exports to more than 40 countries through sister company ImproVision, which stands for Improved Vision.

Schweizer offer the market-leading Őkolux and ERGO range of magnifiers for comfortable reading and was the first company to introduce a modular magnifier system with interchangeable magnification heads to the world market. Towards the end of the 1990s, Schweizer produced the world’s first illuminated magnifier with an LED light.

About Optelec:
Based in Barendrecht, the Netherlands, Optelec is the leading developer and manufacturer of life-changing assistive solutions for visually impaired people.  Optelec continues to be the global front-runner with a multi-tier distribution in more than 60 countries, including dedicated subsidiary sales offices in Belgium, Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States of America.  The company also supports a strong network of distributors worldwide.

The company's flagship product is the best-selling ClearView+, offering powerful magnification of text and photographs up to 85 times their original size. Award-winning products like the ClearReader+ text-to-speech reader, the high definition Compact 7 HD handheld magnifier and the ALVA Braille Controller series, serve to reinforce Optelec's strong commitment to assisting people with a visual impairment in living their lives more independently.

(1) RNIB website

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