Why Optiswiss? - Europe - Optical lens supplier

Independent and locally based – that’s what Optiswiss already was when J. & R. Flemming AG was founded in 1937. Two opticians from Basel wanted to guarantee the supply of lenses to Switzerland in those politically uncertain times and so started up their own production.

Switzerland down to the finest detail: this is still true today at Optiswiss. We produce exclusively at 26 Lyon Strasse in Basel. We supply our lenses to customers in more than 20 countries. Since its foundation, the company has evolved continuously. In the 1980s, Optiswiss employed around 100 people but today there are more than 250.

The company structure has also changed over the decades. From the original J. & R. Flemming AG, after many years of affiliation with the Zeiss Group, the Optiswiss AG of today finally emerged as an independent company. Continuity is reflected in our quality and innovative strength – as we strive to keep working closely with our partners and develop unique selling propositions for the traditional specialised optical trade. Today, Optiswiss is one of the few completely independent lens manufacturers.

We stay true to our values. We’ve been around for over 85 years.

No. 1 eyeglass lens manufacturer in Switzerland
Produced locally in Basel
Several thousand lenses per day
Production is continuously being expanded and modernised
Over 85 years of recognised expertise
Over 250 employees
Partners in over 20 countries
Sustainable thinking and acting

Independent. Local. Committed.

As the best independent lens manufacturer in Europe, we’re the partner of choice for opticians. That’s our vision.

How do we achieve this?

By actively and sustainably shaping the future of the industry. We offer tangible added value with our innovative products, concepts and services. We deliver the highest quality – faster than almost any other manufacturer due to our short delivery routes.

We treat our partners as equals. We’re independent, responsible and regionally based. This is the basis for our business activities in all areas. For the benefit of our customers and society.

Our customers always ask us, "How long will it take?" When we say, "Two to three days," they can hardly believe it. After all, it is coming from Basel.
They may be smaller than others but they know how to use that to their advantage. They never run out of good ideas.
Optiswiss gives me space to breathe. When I’ve got problems, I call them and I get help – efficiently and directly. They make it possible!
The more transparent lenses was the deciding factor as to why we went with Optiswiss.
Optiswiss isn’t just our trading partner but a partner with whose cooperation, we master challenges together.
Just the product alone isn’t enough nowadays. Optiswiss offers me practical services and
the right equipment to go with it. That really makes life easier.

Source: Survey of Optiswiss Customers and Employees by Bruhn & Partner, Basel 2021.

We produce exclusively in Basel.
Our local production in the heart of Europe does more than just ensure that the products you order reach you quickly. The short delivery routes also avoid unnecessary transport, minimising the burden on our environment.

Sustainability is important to us and this applies to lens production too. We recycle the water needed for production. We also use the waste heat generated from the coating systems for warm water and for heating the building. This way we save both water and energy for a sustainable future.

Swiss innovative strength.
Tangibly sustainable.

Our
Story

Our
values and commitment

Customer-
voices

Swiss Hightech Factory

Our story

2022

2020-2021

2019

2015

1997

1981

1937

Our values

SWISS MADE AND LOCALLY BASED

REAL PARTNERSHIP

SERVICES WITH ADDED VALUE

RELIABLE QUALITY

FAST DELIVERY TIMES

TANGIBLE INNOVATIVE STRENGTH

The Commitment of Optiswiss

"The people behind the product – that’s the core of Optiswiss. There’s a lot of work carried out by hand and we produce our lenses exclusively in Basel with local skilled employees."

The voices: "Optiswiss gives me space to breathe ..."

SWISS HIGHTECH FACTORY

THE ENVIRONMENT BEFORE OUR EYES.