Transitions Optical has confirmed that changes have occurred to it’s Canadian division as a result of the recent completion of the acquisition by Essilor earlier in April.
President Paddy McDermott stated, “Transitions Optical communicated to our Canadian employees on April 14 that we are restructuring our commercial organization to focus on supporting our direct customers, optical lens manufacturers, while continuous developing technologies and strengthening consumer awareness of the photochromic category.
Four of our Canada associates are impacted and will receive a comprehensive package of separation benefits appropriate to their positions and tenure, including outplacement services. Transitions Optical is committed to helping impacted employees find new employment as professionally and respectfully as possible. We do not take these decisions lightly and have made these changes to increase efficiency, continue to strengthen the Transitions® brand, and drive growth across the photochromic category for all of our customers.
The Canadian market is very important for us and this change in approach is focused on optimizing our partner relationships to our mutual benefit. Therefore, Transitions Optical will continue to drive consumer demand through our advertising and brand building initiatives, while providing our partners with technical and marketing support to enable and leverage their already extensive resources within the Canadian market.”
Earlier this month Transitions Optical made changes to it’s management team.
Brian Hauser, general manager, U.S. and Canada; Alexis Cardona, global chief marketing officer; and Grady Lenski, managing director left the organization.
Bertrand Roy will serve as leader of the North America region. Global Strategic Marketing and Sunwear will report directly to Paddy McDermott in his role as President, Transitions Optical.
During their tenure, General Manager U.S. and Canada Brian Hauser, Managing Director Adjacencies Grady Lenski, and Chief Marketing Officer Alexis Cardona all evolved in their roles as leaders in their own right and strongly contributed to driving our strong performance, expanding into new product areas and shaping the Transitions® brand.
“We thank them for their substantial contributions and wish them every success in their future endeavours,” said Paddy McDermott, President of Transitions Optical Inc. “The leadership changes are intended to quickly create alignment, drive efficiencies, and accelerate our ability to capitalize on Essilor’s and Transitions Optical’s unique talents and strengths. This will enable us to boost the expansion of photochromic products globally and accelerate growth for the Transitions Optical business and our customers.”
Supply of Transitions® lenses to customers will not be affected by these changes. Transitions® lenses will continue to be made available through other lens manufacturers and all customers throughout the value chain.
Transitions Optical will continue its open business model and will remain focused on serving the needs of Transitions Optical’s lens manufacturing partners and growing their sales of Transitions® lenses.