Brian Black, Missy Hearfield with Chandresh Thakrar, new owner of Eyeline Optical

Eyeline Optical, long-term supplier of all things optics to the New Zealand industry has a new owner, Chandresh Thakrar, a friend of former owner and industry stalwart, Brian Black.

Thakrar, originally from Kenya and a London School of Economics graduate, has a background in IT and supply chain management and worked for a number of consultancy firms in the UK before moving to New Zealand with his family in 2006. Originally the move was just for a couple of years, Thakrar said, but they all ended up falling in love with the country and are now proud to call Wellington and New Zealand home. “I’m a small-town boy at heart and it didn’t take long until I was won over.”

The decision to take the leap and become a business owner developed in conversations with Black. “Brian and I have been friends for a long time and when he started talking about retiring, I thought this was an opportunity for me to do something different.”

Though the eye health industry is new to him, Thakrar said he’s always been surrounded by family members working in various health professions, so he has a keen grasp of the ups and downs of the allied health world. Plus, since officially acquiring Eyeline Optical in October last year, he has worked side by side with Black getting to grips with the industry and will continue to do so until Black retires later this year.

Although some modernisations and changes are underway, Thakrar said his intent is to continue to offer Eyeline Optical’s extensive product range and carry on being a one-stop shop for nearly everything eye health-related. “We’re very excited about our new Lower Hutt premises. The next cab off the rank is a refresh of our website, complete with a section devoted to Eyeline Optical products. We are also taking our first steps using social media tools and will be offering product educational You Tube clips on the new website explaining what a product does and how to use it.”

When asked about his first five months in the industry, Thakrar said it’s been a steep learning curve - exhilarating and rewarding at the same time. “I’m very grateful to have worked alongside Brian who is incredibly knowledgeable. I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher really. I’d also like to extend a big thank you to all our customers who have been incredibly helpful and patient with me.” It’s very humbling, he added, saying he always treasures any feedback or suggestions from customers.

For up-to-date information on Eyeline Optical’s range, see the 2019 version of OIG and keep an eye on the Style News section in NZ Optics for its new range of Italian brand Centrostyle children’s frames.