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Dioptra has a long and rich tradition in the optical field, with originsdating back to 1896. Hoya and Dioptra have worked together under an exclusivearrangement since the year 2000. Dioptra CZ employs 32 people in Turnov, nearPrague, and generated over EUR 4 million sales in 2007.
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Hoya Corporation's Vision Care Division will acquire 100 percent of theshares in Dioptra CZ. While the existing management team will remain inplace, Mr. Rainer Burkard, Director of Global Business Development for HoyaVision Care, will serve as Acting Managing Director thru 2008.
In early 2009, Hoya expects to appoint Ms. Ivana Nechanicka to serve asManaging Director of Dioptra CZ. Ms. Nechanicka is currently the SouthwestRegional Sales Manager for Hoya Vision Care North America. A Czech native andconsistently one of Hoya's top sales producers, Ms. Nechanicka will return toher homeland after living in the U.S. for 35 years.
The agreement with Dioptra CZ will allow Hoya to increase sales ofhigh-end premium products in the fast-growing Czech market. Hoya believes theCzech market is growing in excess of 10% per year, driven by an acceleratedconversion of mineral to organic lenses, and bi-focal to progressive designs.
Gerald W. Bottero, President and CEO of Hoya Vision Care, said: "We areexcited about the future of Hoya in the Czech market, and expect to seehigher sales of progressive lenses due to rising disposable incomes, a highlyeducated class of eye care professionals and favourable demographic trends."
About Hoya Corporation
Hoya Corporation is a global leader in information technology, eye care,medical devices and imaging systems. With over 35,000 employees andoperations across the globe, Hoya recorded total sales of over JPY 481.6billion in fiscal year 2007. Hoya was founded in 1941 and trades on the FirstSection of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
SOURCE Hoya Corporation
