PLAINVILLE, Mass.—Hilco Vision announced it has acquired Tucson, Ariz.-based ophthalmic supplies company Eye Care and Cure (ECC) effective Nov. 30. Ross Brownlee, CEO of Hilco Vision noted, “Eye Care and Cure has built a superb reputation addressing the pharmaceutical and diagnostic needs of its customers over many years through its subject matter expertise, breadth of line, quality of service and desire to simplify the buying experience for its customers—common qualities to the aspirations of the Wilson Ophthalmic division and Hilco Vision as a group. I am confident the value proposition we have for our combined customer base is really enhanced by this acquisition and look forward to building further on this new platform.”

In the immediate term, the businesses will operate independently and there will be no needed change to how business is conducted with either company, the announcement stated. On the product side, ECC will start to carry some key items from the Hilco Vision portfolio including Hilco’s line of professional optical tools and lens cleaners while the Hilco Vision’s offering will have an expanded pharmaceutical selection and unique ECC products.

“We felt that Eye Care and Cure would be even better placed to continue to expand our offering to our customers as part of a bigger group and Hilco Vision was the obvious choice from the standpoint of capabilities and aligned purpose and values,” stated Dr. Johan Van Dalen, CEO of ECC who will support the transition to new ownership and continue to consult on product innovation.

Together Hilco Vision and Eye Care and Cure offer a national distribution network for eyecare professionals with over 30,000 products in stock covering everything from pharmaceuticals and diagnostics to vision care and optical products. Eye Care and Cure COO, John Lakey, will join Hilco Vision as head of the ophthalmic supplies division.

Hilco Vision is an industry leading global eyewear/eyecare company with direct subsidiaries in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, Australia, China, and the Netherlands. The company’s product portfolio is concentrated on five primary product categories: professional tools, vision protection, consumer accessories, lens care and ophthalmic supplies.