Laboratory for manufacturing of silicon-hydrogel contact lenses
Title
Complete laboratory for manufacturing of rigid gas-permeable astigmatic and soft silicon-hydrogel contact lenses.
Objectives
- To set up a production of new competitive produce: gas permeable hard lenses, including individually made ones (astigmatism,
keratoconus, aphacia, multifocal lenses, orthokeratology), soft contact lenses of planned replacement with a wearing period from 1
day to 3 months, colored and tinted.
- To achieve production output of 8 000 pieces per month after the first year of operation to 15 000 pieces during the third year of operation.
- Arrange sales of own-made contact lenses in two ways:
1) Fitting of contact lenses and retail sales in own optical shops in Snezhinsk, Ozersk and Chelyabinsk;
2) Wholesale of contact lenses to producers of optics in the Urals.
- To create 10 new jobs in Snezhinsk, including 6 for former employees of VNIITF.
Background
OKO Ltd was set up in 1997 as a retail optician carrying out eye tests, providing prescriptions,
and selling spectacles. Since its foundation the company has increased in size so that it has nine
outlets based in larger stores in Cheliabinsk, Snezhinsk and Ozersk. Until recently the great
majority of Russians preferred to wear spectacles but over the last five years the owner of OKO Ltd
has noticed a five-fold increase in prescriptions for contact lenses. The company has no
manufacturing capacity but buys lenses from suppliers and assembles them in frames as required.
Simple lenses are kept in stock but more complex prescriptions are made to order by suppliers
(including UralOptic, located in Snezhinsk, which has already received support from CNCP). The
Beneficiary has been operating in the optical business for the past ten years, and is running a
successful business at present. The demand for good quality complex lenses has been increasing over
recent years. Sales volume has increased markedly. The Beneficiary currently supplies several trade
sites, located in Snezhinsk, Chelyabinsk and Ozersk. The project aims to set up an advanced
complete laboratory for manufacturing of hard gas-permeable, astigmatic, soft and silicon-hydrogel
contact lenses for optical companies and firms of the Urals. The project will provide for individual
manufacturing of lenses correcting eyesight from astigmatism, keratoconus, orthoceratology, and
will arrange production of soft hydrofoil contact lenses for wholesale. In December 2010 the
Steering Group approved additional non-grant funding of £ 10,000 for Marketing activities connected
with diversification of the product line and stimulating the company's sales.
Plan
The purpose of this project is to enable OKO Ltd to meet rising demand for contact lenses by
manufacturing their own. The company would produce hard and soft lenses and funding is required for
remodelling of premises, equipment purchase, equipment assembly, and staff training. The plan
proposes that premises are redesigned, a tender is held for equipment purchase, equipment is
assembled and commissioned and staff trained to operate it. In addition certification must be
obtained. It is expected that 4,000 lenses each month will be produced in the first year
increasing to 15,000 lenses each month in the third year.
Leadership
The owner of OKO Ltd graduated from the Technical University in Snezhinsk and has developed the business from the start gaining valuable experience and skills. The owner has gained the necessary expertise to make a success of this project.
Jobs
Final audit proved that all the obligations have been overfulfilled by the Beneficiary. 16 new jobs (7 for former employees of VNIIEF)
had been created vs planned 10 new jobs (6 for former employees of VNIIEF).
The project has been completed successfully.
Cost
Total cost of the project is £ 213,346.
The DECC's contribution is £140,000 (as a capital grant to cover the purchase of
equipment including a lathe, design software, microscope and other precision instruments).
£80,346 (including in kind contribution) will be invested by OKO Ltd to cover equipment
delivery and related costs, redesign of premises, licensing and certification, staff training and
salaries. In addition the company will also make an in kind contribution of £25,000 through
allocating two vehicles and medical equipment to the new business.
Home
Grant Aid
Overview
Completed projects