Clear vision ahead for Aveo
Contact lens maker plans aggressive expansion as it gets strong support from customers
BARELY nine months since its inception, contact lens brand Aveo Vision is already eyeing for an expansion to increase its market reach and product awareness.
The brand, known for its flagship product, daily disposable soft contact lenses Aveo Hello, is actively gearing up to introduce new product lines and penetrate into new promising markets.
Speaking with StarBizWeek, Aveo Vision chief executive officer Cecile Thai says the brand’s aggressive expansion strategy is driven by the strong support from its customers.
“While Aveo Hello was only launched in April 2018, the product’s premium quality and affordable price have attracted many customers in such a short span of time.
“We have registered several thousands of individual customers and the list is growing. Aveo Vision is expanding very quickly,” she says, adding that Aveo Vision is Malaysia’s first direct-to-consumer contact lens brand.
Within the next few months, Aveo Vision expects to unveil its new product offering – daily disposable contact lenses for users with astigmatism.
Geographical expansion-wise, Thai says the new target markets are predominantly those with a high percentage of contact lens users.
Apart from Aveo Vision’s current markets – the United States and Malaysia – the brand looks to establish its presence in Europe as well as in major Asian markets.
The Aveo Vision contact lens brand is manufactured by SuperVision Optimax Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s first homegrown contact lens maker.
Supervision is 98%-owned by Supermax International Sdn Bhd, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of rubber glove manufacturer Supermax Corp Bhd.
Thai is the daughter of Supermax Corp’s founder and president Datuk Seri Stanley Thai. Earlier this year, she was also appointed executive director of Supermax Corp.
A passionate contact lens wearer herself, Thai says daily disposable contact lenses are the best for one’s eyes. While such contact lenses are the healthiest and most hygienic option, they have, however, been traditionally more expensive than the reusable lenses.
This is where the San Franciscobased Aveo Vision strives to make a difference. Selling at a discount of over 50% than the average market rate, the Aveo Hello daily disposable contact lenses are affordable and within the reach of active contact lens wearers. “With the products of Aveo Vision, our customers no longer have to choose between their bank account and their eye health.
“Our contact lenses are significantly cheaper than the other daily disposable contact lens brands because we sell our products direct- ly to our customers entirely via e-commerce.
“This allows us to avoid the potential price mark-ups by the distributors, wholesalers and retailers, keeping the price of Aveo Hello lenses low and affordable,” the 30-year-old Thai says.
The Aveo contact lens can be purchased via Aveo Vision’s online store at aveovision.my, with free shipping on delivery. Three different packages are offered – onemonth supply (RM60), six-month supply (RM300) and 12-month supply (RM550) for 30 lenses in a box.
Prospective buyers will be required to upload the prescriptions from their ophthalmologists prior to placing the orders online. Otherwise, they could also visit Aveo Vision’s frequent roadshows in the Klang Valley to get their eyes checked and identify the most suitable contact lens for their eyes.
Recalling her personal experience, Thai says she suffered a severe medical condition called corneal hypoxia a few years ago and had to undergo a refractive surgery to correct her vision.
The reason? Lack of care in using reusable contact lenses, especially during her college days.
Upon realising the importance of eye care and the benefits that daily disposable contact lenses offer, Thai left her lucrative job as an invest- ment consultant and established Aveo Vision after extensive research and development (R&D) efforts.
“I launched Aveo Vision because I don’t want anyone to experience what I went through,” she says.
Aveo Vision’s flagship daily disposable aspheric soft contact lenses, Aveo Hello, are biocompatible lenses that hydrate and protect the eyes of the users. The lenses, which are 58% water-based, are made with premium omafilcon A.
According to its website, Aveo Vision contact lenses use the AquaLock technology that mimics a water-loving molecule found naturally in eye cells, attracting and retaining water to the lens for a refreshing cushion of all-day hydration.
“Our unique BlissEdge design is a dual-tapered edge that lets more water and oxygen circulate around the eye. It keeps your lens centred right where it belongs, and reduces irritation and friction.
“With our built-in Class II UV blocker, you can spend time outside and know you’re protected from at least 97% of UVB and 87% of UVA radiation,” it states.
To date, Thai says about RM100mil has been invested in the state-of-the-art production facilities and extensive R&D initiatives. The manufacturing of Aveo Vision contact lenses are fully-automated, giving them high precision.
“Only flawless, defect-free lenses are shipped to our customers,” guarantees Thai.