“We are a family-to-family opticians”

With 50 years of history, Lindóptica, based in Setúbal, Portugal, is regarded as a traditional company, but is always prepared for new challenges through its partnership with Conselheiros da Visão (Vision Advisors). Fernando Almeida, managing partner since 1995, respects and is proud of the business founded by his parents, but does not fail to point out his main concerns in relation to the national market: unfair competition and a total lack of respect for the consumer, which leads to the discrediting of the optics sector.

How was Lindóptica born and how did it get its name?

Lindóptica came about as a result of my parents’ desire and courage to have their own business. I don’t know the origin of the name, I think it was one of my parent’s coworkers that suggested it.

How do you assess these last 50 years?

A company that can celebrate 50 years of full operation and financial stability can only have a very positive assessment. In the last few years, we have seen a great development in our sector, with regards to both fashion and new lense technology, and at Lindóptica we always try to keep up with this evolution. I think that we have been greatly successful.

How have you tried to keep up with this evolution?

We always try to be at the forefront of new technologies when it comes to lenses, both ophthalmic and contact lenses. For this, we often attend training and work alongside accredited suppliers to ensure we have new products and solutions to the visual problems that emerge these days. With regards to fashion, we are able to keep up with current trends through permanent contact with our suppliers as well as frequent visits to the ‘Mido Eyewear Show’ in Milan, always accompanied by the Vision Advisors group that provide its cooperators, year after year, to see and follow what’s new in the world of optics.

Do you think that the close proximity to your patients and a personalised service have been the key-factors for this company throughout its five decades of history?

Without a doubt, but also excellent service and a good relationship between fashion, technology and fair prices. I consider us to be a family optician, that is, family-to-family. We consider our customers to be family members and we always try to make them feel like family, that they feel supported and their visual problems are resolved.

Read the full interview at ÓpticaPro 229, available now online.