John Lakey has a passion for green solutions.

And, at Hilco, environmentally friendly solutions for the practice are key. “I credit my time working for Gojo Industries, the makers of Purell, as a point in time that both gave me a holistic view of the importance of sustainability in cleaning and sanitization and a view on how a company can do its part in achieving a more sustainable future,” says Lakey, Hilco’s global head of marketing.

Hilco has also recently unveiled a targeted catalog of cleaning and disinfecting products for the optical, such as the UltraPro UVC 24 germicidal sanitation unit (which sanitizes 24 pairs of glasses in five minutes), CleanCide Wipes, and SeeGreen terry cloths.

Additionally, in response to the pandemic and the need for enhanced cleaning and sanitization solutions, Hilco conducted an extensive study on frame disinfection in collaboration with COLTS Laboratories. Here, we check in with Lakey to learn more.

EB: Please tell us a bit about the study and its results.

JOHN LAKEY: Let me start by saying we know the pandemic has impacted everyone profoundly and Hilco Vision is enthusiastic by the recent advances that should allow our industry to navigate back toward normalcy.

We also recognize that certain practices have fundamentally changed. As we studied cleaning and sanitization, we wanted to look beyond the immediate issues to the future we are, thankfully, entering right now.

That is why we focused on green cleaning active ingredients that are readily available because we know that is an increasingly significant factor in decision-making in the cleaning space and that optical professionals need options in this area as conditions change.

EB: How does Hilco Vision fill this need?

JL: We worked to develop our own UVC solutions because we believe UV is a core solution for optical shops. The support of cleaners with a range of green actives and EPA registration gives optical locations a total solution and choice. Choice is key because product solutions must match traffic patterns and practice workflow.

EB: What is the inspiration behind Hilco’s eco vision?

JL: To us, journeys lead to innovation, and that leads to opportunities for our whole industry. Sustainability comes in many forms, and on the product side, we have had sustainable lens cleaning products for a long time, but the key to us is to take that seed and apply it across our portfolio to better the industry.

Our cleaning and sanitization programs have been infused with that spirit on this part of the journey, and what you will see going forward is an acceleration of a commitment to this path.

EB: Other key initiatives for the future?

JL: That’s a whole separate conversation. We will be introducing some exciting new lens care products and some great new additions in prescription safety and our optical tools range in the coming months.