[January 22, 2014] |
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Menicon Realizes Bold Vision in the Netherlands
EMMEN, Netherlands --(Business Wire)--
A new multipurpose hub for the European business of contact lens
manufacturer Menicon Co., Ltd. (head office: Nagoya, Japan; CEO Hidenari
Tanaka) has begun its first full year of operations at Emmen, NL (140
km. NE of Amsterdam), following a Dec. 9, 2013 grand opening attended by
dignitaries from the Netherlands and Japan.
Emmen Mayor Cees Bijl, Menicon CEO Hidenari Tanaka and Japanese diplomat Yutaka Kikuta cut the ceremonial ribbon to open Menicon's new facility at Emmen, the Netherlands. (Photo: Business Wire)
The new facility now crafts and distributes made-to-order lenses to
customers across the continent and beyond. Combining in a single 4,675
square-meter structure the production, distribution, R&D, marketing and
management functions of business units Menicon Holding BV (MHBV) and NKL
Contactlenzen, the facility creates an eco-friendly and efficient base
for 100 staff in Menicon's European operations.
In cutting the opening ribbon, Menicon CEO Hidenari Tanaka was assisted
by Mr. Cees Bijl (Mayor of Emmen) and Mr. Yutaka Kikuta (Minister of
Japan's embassy in the Netherlands). Addressing the 120 invited guests,
Dr. Tanaka noted that the realization of this new facility marks the
successful integration of Menicon and NKL, which had been a "formidable
competitor" priorto its acquisition by Menicon in 2006.
"Since then we have achieved great synergistic results throughout
Europe," Tanaka said. "Now, this magnificent facility embodies the
promise of even greater future accomplishments in the region."
In keeping with its dedication to clear vision for people across the
continent, the new glass-clad structure is remarkably transparent. And
the glass cladding is equally remarkable for its environmental
performance: adjustably admitting abundant natural light, yet well
insulated against cold and heat. Other structural features, such as
groundwater heat pumps and an innovative approach to harvesting waste
heat from climate control, contribute to power consumption 45 percent
lower than comparable conventional structures. This translates into a 35
percent reduction in CO2 emissions, consistent with norms
under the European Sustainability Programme. What is more, this
eco-achievement is in line with Menicon's own 2009 commitment "To be a
world enterprise that is friendly to people, animals, and the
environment".
The new facility produces, made-to-order, both Rigid Gas Permeable
(hard) and soft lenses that will be distributed (along with other
Menicon products, such as disposable lenses and lens care supplies)
Europe-wide by an on-site warehouse and logistics center.
Meanwhile upstairs, researchers are working on innovative lens designs,
efficient production processes and the next generation of Easyfit
software to support contact lens fitters all over the world. With an eye
to possible future expansion, the structure has been built at the front
of the 13,000 square-meter site, leaving room for another building as
needed.
About Menicon
Headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, and represented in over 80 countries,
Menicon Co., Ltd. is the only contact lens company in the world
dedicated to every aspect of the field from material development and
lens design to manufacturing of lenses and lens care solutions. Menicon
offers an expanding portfolio of innovative lenses, packaging and
related products that maximize user comfort and convenience. The company
is also the world's largest producer of gas-permeable contact lenses.
For more information, contact Yoko Kido ( presscontact@menicon-net.co.jp
) and visit menicon.com or
our Dutch site, www.nkl.nl

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140122005578/en/
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