What should I ask about an optometry clinic’s lens edging and fitting equipment?
Ask for a list of each edger, blocker, tracer and measuring device with its age, owner and service history. Find out how often each is calibrated, what supplies it uses and who runs it. Then ask whether the clinic cuts lenses in-house or sends the work out, since that changes how much the equipment matters.
Start with the question of purpose. Some clinics edge and fit lenses on the premises, while others send everything to an outside lab. If the in-house machines are used rarely, they may not be worth what you would spend to keep them running.
Next, list the equipment. Include the edger, the tracer, the blocker, the lensometer and any measuring devices used at the dispensing table. Ask who owns each one, whether any is leased and whether service contracts pass to a buyer. Then ask about upkeep. How often are machines calibrated? What are the supply needs, such as blades and fluids, and where do they come from? Ask for repair invoices and note anything that keeps going wrong.
Finally, ask about people. Edging well takes practice. Find out who does it, whether they plan to stay and what happens when they are away. Have a qualified technician look at the main machines, and let your accountant plan for the cost of replacing them. Ask also about the room itself: ventilation, water supply and where waste from cutting goes. Poor setup can hurt the equipment and make the work unpleasant. If the clinic plans to start or stop edging in-house, ask the seller what led to that thinking.
Key takeaways
- Find out whether lenses are cut in-house or sent out.
- Check ownership, calibration and repair records for every machine.
- Ask who operates the equipment and whether they are staying.
Related reading
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentEquipment valuation: How to do it
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
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