Consolidation, Combination, Conglomeration By Staff Monday, December 16, 2013 12:07 AM RELATED CONTENT THE BIG IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Branding...and Rebranding Brick, Click...Direct to Consumer The Intelligent Office Health and Wellness Corner Office Remembering... 2013 Timeline VM's Social Media Community in 2013 Despite a relatively flat optical market, many large and mid-size companies managed to grow their market shares this year by forging new alliances through mergers, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. These moves caused shifts throughout the distribution chain, as wholesalers, retailers and suppliers realigned themselves in new configurations. In some cases, this resulted in greater consolidation within a particular part of the industry, such as the wholesale lab or lens manufacturing sectors. But some companies formed partnerships that extended their reach into new areas. Mergers & Acquisitions Walman Acquires Rite-Style Diversified Ophthalmics Merges With Firestone Optics Hilco Acquires i-Promotions PFO Global Acquires Optima CooperVision Buys Websystem3 Local Eye Site Acquires EyeBuzz ABB Concise Merges with Optical Distributor Group Valeant Purchases Bausch + Lomb ATK Acquires Bushnell Outdoor Products Essilor Acquires 51 Percent Stake in Transitions Optical FYIdoctors Acquires Vision Source’s Canadian Resources Luxury Optical Buys Leonard Opticians and Opticians 3 Essilor Expands in Sun With Acquisition of Polycore My Eye Doctor on Major Expansion Drive WellPoint Acquires 1-800 Contacts A.T. Cross Sells Cross Accessory Division, Changes Name to Costa, Inc. Sequential Brands Acquires Revo Brand, Inks Global License with B. Robinson for Sunglasses Essilor Announces Eight Strategic Acquisitions, Including Two U.S. Labs Essilor Announces Acquisition of LensTech and Plans for X-Cel Optical Essilor Buys Classic Optical, Strengthening Its Managed Care Offering Essilor to Acquire Costa, Inc. Refac and Its U.S. Vision Subsidiary to Acquire Nationwide Vision Marcolin and PAI Partners Buy Viva from HVHC Superior Vision and Block Vision Merge Canada’s New Look Acquires Vogue Optical Partnerships & Alliances 1-800 Contacts and Walmart End CL Alliance Walmart & Sam’s Club Debut New CL Program WellPoint Names Advisory Board, Adds 1-800 Contacts to In-Network Program Superior Adds Costco to Provider Network Walmart Adds Vision Benefits for Employees Via VSP MES Vision Launches Online Service for Members SoloHealth Partners with HHS to Inform About Affordable Healthcare Act EyeMed Establishes National Lab Network Featuring Essilor Laboratories of America + Walman Optical Co. Family of Businesses Superior Vision Partners with Ditto for Virtual Try-On L’Amy America and A&A Optical Announce Sales and Service Partnership