FREMONT, Calif.--Nidek Co. will merge and consolidate its two
wholly-owned subsidiaries in the U.S., Nidek Technologies America (NTA)
and Nidek Inc., effective April 1st, 2006.

NTA, with a focus in commercializing advanced ophthalmic diagnostic
instrumentation for corneal and retinal applications, will merge with
Nidek’s U.S. sales and marketing organization, Nidek Inc.
The company said the strategic move is a way to further its product
marketing and distribution goals and objectives in the U.S.


“This is an exciting time for Nidek’s business operations in the U.S.,
as we continue our strong focus on harnessing business and product
distribution synergies in the U.S.,” said Hideo Ozawa, president
and founder of Nidek Co.

“With this merger/operational consolidation, we want to focus our efforts on the strong synergies that both NTA and Nidek Inc. bring to the marketplace. Bringing the two groups together will allow Nidek to offer one source for its advanced diagnostics and surgical ophthalmic instrumentation to the visioncare professional in the U.S.

“Additionally, through this consolidation we aim to streamline business operations--sales, marketing, accounting, customer and product service--enabling Nidek to focus and achieve its short and long-term goals and objectives. Under one business unit, Nidek Inc. will continue to provide excellent customer service and deliver to the market innovative, technologically advanced products and services, as it has done for close to 25 years,” Ozawa said.

Phillip Buscemi, OD, vice president and general manager of Nidek
Technologies America said “the business change will be seamless
and transparent” for Nidek’s existing and new customers. “We will transfer
product marketing, sales, service and customer support to our sister
operation at Nidek Inc. in Fremont, Calif.,” he noted.


The merger will not affect Nidek’s relationships with Santinelli International,
the exclusive North American distribution arm for Nidek lens finishing
equipment to the retail and lab markets or with Marco Technologies,
the exclusive North American distribution arm for Nidek's diagnostic
instruments and products, according to Kuntal Joshi, director of global
marketing for Nidek Co.