News
BENEVOLENT FUND SUPPORTS NEEDY
The FMO, as the owner of Optrafair, has pledged to provide a proportion of this year's show takings to support the good works of the charity. As FMO Chairman, Barry Dibble, explained _ "We hear, from time to time, about some distressing cases of hardship faced by...
SCALE OF UK MARKET REVEALED AT FMO
Delegates were told that the independent sector accounts for 47% of all optical retail outlets in the UK. Strategy With Vision, the international market research company's manufacturer-focused presentation to FMO members compared the UK market and its population of...
FRAMES OF 2011 SOUGHT BY FMO
To be show-cased at Optrafair (April 9-11), and featured on Optrafair TV, entries are invited for five categories: *Children's frames *Women's Ophthalmic *Women's Sunglasses *Men's Ophthalmic *Men's Sunglasses "We are seeking the most fashionable, innovative, and...
2011 LAUNCHED WITH INCREASED MEMBERSHIP FOR FMO
FMO Chairman, Barry Dibble told members at the packed AGM that companies large and small are joining the "Voice of the Optical Industry", as the FMO promotes itself - "We are truly representing the aims and business needs of manufacturers, distributors and...
NEW DIRECTORS APPOINTED TO FMO
Preston Everard, Executive Manager of Kentoptic, appointed Vice-Chairman of the Lens Association, explained: "The FMO is a great forum for advice and discussion. It provides the perfect opportunity to network and to have an input into how we want to move optics...
RECORD NUMBERS DRAWN TO REGIONAL MEETING
Generously sponsored by Transitions, delegates including several new members, were welcomed by FMO Chairman Barry Dibble, who spoke of the great networking opportunities provided by the organisation. Industry-specific discussions for the Frame, Lens, and...
NATIONAL EYE HEALTH WEEK LAUNCH
Established to communicate the importance of good eye health under the banner, 'Vision Matters', the week will encourage people from every walk of life to take better care of their eyes and to have regular sight tests. This is one of the priorities of the UK Vision...
EMPLOYMENT LAW AND MARKETING TO BE MARCH FOCUS
Relevant optical presentations on marketing, with a guest speaker from The Institute of Marketing will be made. Discrimination and Employment Law will also be discussed with advice from industry experts. "Our growing membership greatly values the support that joining...
FREE LEGAL ADVICE FOR FMO MEMBERS
"The most common calls we receive are about employment questions, and there has been an increase of debt calls due to the economic climate, but our team of experts also have specialist knowledge of property rentals, health and safety, small tax issues, motoring...
OPEN FOR BUSINESS BUDGET
The rise in VAT to 20% "may do little to improve the flow of consumers visiting opticians' practices, but having lived through a cut of 2.5% recently we have to ask how much this affected business," says the organisation. "The fact that consumers have six months to...
CARBON TRUST LOANS OFFER OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST
Providing loans of between "3,000 and "100,000 for energy saving advances, Carbon Trust Loans are currently available over a one to four year period. Funding is confirmed for the financial year to March 2011, but will be subject to budgetary changes after this period....
OPTRAFAIR 2011 OPENS FOR BOOKINGS
The FMO's biennial show of all that is new in the world of optics, will run from 9-11 April 2011 at The NEC, Birmingham. Combining unrivalled opportunities to meet the entire optical community under one roof, with the chance to see world class technology and the...