ABOUT US
Waterside was started in 1976 by Ray Smith, an experienced glazing technician who had a vision to build a customer focussed company offering first class quality and service to the independent optical sector.
The optical industry has changed dramatically over the years and whilst Waterside has adapted to these many changes and new technologies it has never lost sight of Ray's core values.
As an independent company under family control it prides itself on the experience of its management team and the personal relationship it enjoys with its customers (many of whom have been dealing with the company for over 20 years).
Waterside enjoys a special relationship with its customers, who appreciate the fact that they can talk directly to knowledgeable people responsible for production on a day to day basis.
Ray is still very much a 'hands on' owner who enjoys interaction with customers and monitoring closely every element of product supply.
Tony Dimaiolo is the manager of the surfacing department and has adapted to the many changes in lens production techniques since he first joined Waterside in 1978.
Glazing is also under the control of a very experienced manager in Brian Smith who has been managing the department for over 30 years.
Whilst in common with many modern labs Waterside now employs the latest technologies and systems (including robotic glazing, computerised surfacing and 'track and trace' programmes) its strength is the knowledge and experience of its management team who each understand the fundamentals behind these new technologies.
The most recent addition to the management team is Chris Smith who joined the company in 1993. After spending 2 years studying the art of lens production Chris implemented full lab computerization in 1995 and he is constantly looking at how new technologies can be integrated to benefit both customers and product supply.
Waterside is a member of the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians
The optical industry has changed dramatically over the years and whilst Waterside has adapted to these many changes and new technologies it has never lost sight of Ray's core values.
As an independent company under family control it prides itself on the experience of its management team and the personal relationship it enjoys with its customers (many of whom have been dealing with the company for over 20 years).
Waterside enjoys a special relationship with its customers, who appreciate the fact that they can talk directly to knowledgeable people responsible for production on a day to day basis.
Ray is still very much a 'hands on' owner who enjoys interaction with customers and monitoring closely every element of product supply.
Tony Dimaiolo is the manager of the surfacing department and has adapted to the many changes in lens production techniques since he first joined Waterside in 1978.
Glazing is also under the control of a very experienced manager in Brian Smith who has been managing the department for over 30 years.
Whilst in common with many modern labs Waterside now employs the latest technologies and systems (including robotic glazing, computerised surfacing and 'track and trace' programmes) its strength is the knowledge and experience of its management team who each understand the fundamentals behind these new technologies.
The most recent addition to the management team is Chris Smith who joined the company in 1993. After spending 2 years studying the art of lens production Chris implemented full lab computerization in 1995 and he is constantly looking at how new technologies can be integrated to benefit both customers and product supply.
Waterside is a member of the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians