Rodenstock Bolsters European Footprint with Croatian Double Acquisition

German optics giant snaps up two Croatian distributors as part of a broader push into eastern European markets.

Global lens manufacturer Rodenstock has announced the acquisition of two Croatian ophthalmic businesses: NI-VA Lens d.o.o. and DEA Lens Project d.o.o. The move signals the Munich-based company's continued appetite for direct regional control of its distribution network.

The deal sees Rodenstock take over DEA Lens Project d.o.o., a distributor of ophthalmic lenses and instrumental optics, alongside lens supplier NI-VA Lens d.o.o., described as among the leading lens and device suppliers in Croatia.

DEA Lens Project was founded in 1995 in Osijek and has built a strong reputation for its relationships with independent opticians, having partnered closely with Rodenstock for the past two decades. For many Australian practitioners who work with Rodenstock products, the acquisition reinforces the brand's strategy of tightening its grip on end-to-end supply chains, a model that has implications for how premium lenses reach independent optical businesses globally.

Rodenstock CEO Marcus Desimoni framed the deal as a logical step in the company's pan-European commercial strategy. "We are very pleased to continue our strategic path of having commercial presence across Europe in order to serve the people with the best lenses," he said.

Importantly, Damir Borovac, who led both Croatian companies, will remain part of the leadership team following the transition. His retention suggests Rodenstock is keen to preserve the on-the-ground relationships and market knowledge that DEA Lens Project has cultivated over three decades, a smart play in a region where independent optician networks remain central to lens sales.

Borovac said the partnership with Rodenstock's premium positioning made them "the ideal partner to gain market share and support the business growth in Croatia and eastern Europe."

Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

The move is consistent with a broader pattern seen across the global optics industry, where major manufacturers are increasingly acquiring distributors to reduce reliance on third-party partners and improve margin control. For Australian ECPs (eyecare professionals) watching the space, it's a reminder of how consolidation at the supply chain level, even in distant markets, can shape product availability, pricing structures, and support services closer to home.

Rodenstock, founded in 1877, employs around 4,100 people worldwide and is represented in more than 85 countries, operating five central production sites to support global supply. The company is best known in the Australian market for its biometric lens technology, operating under the B.I.G. VISION® FOR ALL philosophy.