The Millmead Optical Group is celebrating 75 years in the optical industry this year.
What was once a small team of workers in the town of Millmead, Guildford, is now one of the larger independently-owned optical suppliers in the UK – incorporating Continental Eyewear and Jai Kudo Lenses alongside Optoplast cases.
“The business has always been customer focused, and we are proud to offer customers a complete service delivering improved efficiency and lower costs, with sustainability very much at the heart of everything we do,” said CEO James Conway.
Founded in 1946 by Walter Conway and Herbert Thorn, the heritage company Optoplast Mfg Ltd, launched the first range of NHS glasses and invented the PIMO machine, which influenced spectacle frame production worldwide.
Following a move to larger premises in Surbiton, Optoplast began making its own spectacle cases, and the second generation of the Conways and Thorns joined the business. The company relocated to Liverpool and began expanding in export markets setting up subsidiaries in Germany and Asia.
In the 1990s, James Conway joined the company alongside Daniel Thorn and reorganised the business by introducing new optical frames ranges, which proved pivotal for the company’s next phase of growth.
In 2015, Millmead set up frame manufacturing in England and christened the range Walter & Herbert in homage to the founders. The following year, the international frame and lens company Jai Kudo joined Millmead closely followed in 2017 by Continental Eyewear.
Today, Millmead remains a family run business retaining its independent values.
“We are proud to provide our customers with high-quality, well-designed products with a reputation for reliability and integrity,” explained James.
“We are committed to becoming a major player in the future of sustainable eyewear, lenses and accessories for the optical industry. These plans began with the launch of Optoplast Sustain in 2021 and the return of manufacturing to the UK, where we are producing sustainable spectacle cases.
“To celebrate this milestone, we are hosting an exclusive party in London for colleagues, customers, friends and family, all who have played a truly important part in our journey.”
Millmead plans to launch a range of eco-eyewear, called Cameo Sustain, in the near future.