Supporting UK Optics

Since 1917

Innovation and Excellence in Optics

Our mission is to provide a national platform for optical manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and business service providers to communicate, educate and innovate. FMO plays a key role in educating the public about the importance looking after their sight and having regular eye examinations.

What started 100 years ago as the Association of Wholesale and Manufacturing Opticians has developed over the years into a thriving network for companies engaged in all aspects of manufacturing, distribution and supply of spectacle and contact lenses, spectacle frames, ophthalmic instruments and equipment as well as providers of business services to optical practices.

Our members provide the means for more than 20 million eye examinations every year to take place in community practices and hospital eye departments, as well as the wide range of spectacle frames and lenses, and contact lenses that are prescribed for those who need them.

Key Membership Benefits

Optrafair Discount

20% discount on the rate card (subject to qualifying period) for exhibiting at OPTRAFAIR, the UK’s longest running and most respected optical showcase that is the launch pad for all that is new in the field of optics.

Monthly Bad Payers List

Our members know that bad payers are bad for their business. FMO plays a unique role not just in highlighting bad payers, but in mediating between the member and the debtor which often results in payment of the debt by the debtor rather than being put on this powerful list.

Invaluable Updates

At our regular members’ General Meetings there are presentations by leading industry figures and an opportunity for members to learn from each other.

FMO issues an electronic newsletter from time to time, but also sends single item emails to all members, or specifically to members of a Focus Group, on an ongoing basis.

Meeting room in London

All FMO members can use our Board Room at 199 Gloucester Terrace (within easy walking distance of Paddington mainline and underground stations) completely free of charge subject to availability.

BSI/ISO Standards

FMO’s Standards Panel co ordinates all UK input into optical standards, ensuring that through its own representatives on BSI and ISO committees and working groups, and that of representatives of other UK optical bodies, these standards reflect the reality of UK manufacturing, supply and distribution, and that the language used in the standards can be easily interpreted for implementation.

All FMO members are entitled to a 15% discount on the purchase price of BSI Standards.

Annual Christmas Luncheon and AGM

Every December our members, together with leading figures in optics, come together to celebrate FMO’s achievements at our AGM, followed by a Christmas Luncheon and presentations of donations to the optical charities FMO supports.

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What our members say…

Julie Abel

As a young and fresh organisation, the FMO has been incredibly supportive in helping our team to progressively navigate our way within the UK market, then into territories world-wide as Eyespace has grown and expanded.

J. Abel
Managing Director – Eyespace Eyewear

Martin Batho

Personally, the element that I most appreciate is the environment and opportunity the FMO creates to facilitate discussions with like-minded people throughout the industry and to gain feedback on the market.

M. Batho
Managing Director – Hoya Lens UK Ltd

Adam Dibble

There is no doubt that our membership of FMO provides tangible benefits for our business. FMO enables us to access the know-how and expert knowledge that provides essential support for optical businesses – particularly in the early days – to help us to grow quickly and increase sales.

A. Dibble
Sales Director – Dibble Optical

Stuart Burn

We became a member over 10 years ago and a the time the Optrafair discount was the main driving force behind the decision. Since then though we have come to realise that the networking and information benefits are far more important and have far greater value than a monetary benefit.

S. Burn
Managing Director – Performance Finance

David Baker

The FMO Bad Payers List gives us additional customer knowledge to manage our Credit Control function more effectively and minimise potential trading risks.

D. Baker
Managing Director – Dunelm Optical Limited

Amanda Danson

With 60 years of experience, Birmingham Optical is positioned as a key equipment supplier in the optical industry – and we are proud to have been active members of FMO for the past 25 of those years.

A. Danson
CCO – Birmingham Optical

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Industry News

Bright and Buzzy Optrafair

Apr 18, 2018

Optrafair 2018 opened its doors at the NEC in Birmingham at 9 am on Saturday 14 April to a record number of visitors. The weather augured well, with a beautiful warm Spring day greeting the thousands of optical professionals who came to see the very latest in optical...

FMO has announced the retirement of its Chief Executive, Bryony Pawinska

Feb 5, 2018

FMO has announced the retirement of its Chief Executive, Bryony Pawinska, at the end of May. Mrs Pawinska joined FMO in January 2016, to work part-time as CEO for FMO following her retirement from full time employment as Chief Executive of the College of Optometrists....

GDPR Guidance

Dec 18, 2017

Optical Confederation media release Data protection law in the UK is changing – essential, new advice for those working in the optical sector New data protection laws in the UK will come into force on 25 May 2018 – impacting the optical sector. To help those working...

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