Brillen-Profi-Contact GmbH

What Brillen-Profi-Contact GmbH does

Brillen-Profi-Contact GmbH (operating as brillen.profi) is Germany's largest service and purchasing cooperative for independent optical retailers, founded in 1991/1992 and headquartered in Kaufbeuren, Bavaria. The company provides a free membership model with no joining fees and no minimum contract term, serving over 1,800 member operations that gain access to group purchasing rebates, year-end bonuses, exclusive private-label brands (L1.Lens swissmade spectacle lenses, eye² contact lenses, original eyewear frames), business consulting, succession planning, training programs, and an in-house marketing agency (to.eyes GmbH, founded 2008, ~18-person team serving 1,000+ opticians). The cooperative's technology stack centers on eyeqube, an AI-powered marketing analytics platform, and eyepage, a digital storefront solution deployable within 14 days, both developed by the to.eyes subsidiary.

Brillen-Profi-Contact generates revenue primarily through supplier rebates and year-end bonuses from 45+ listed industrial partners, exclusive brand sales, fee-based professional services (BAFA-certified consulting, seminars, workshops), and to.eyes marketing services, while the membership itself remains free. The organization operates subsidiaries spanning hearing acoustics (BestAkustik), business succession brokerage (OptiChange, operational since 2016), and dual-brand repositioning for generational succession ([si:ju]). A significant leadership transition occurred on January 1, 2026, when Bastian Schnuchel (founder of to.eyes) assumed the CEO role from Gerhard Langseder, who led the cooperative for 25 years.

The company is part of the INEUROP European network of optical purchasing cooperatives (founded 2016 with Swiss partner Dynoptic) and maintains a focused events and content program (peak26, Thementage roadshow across five cities, Gamechanger-Event in Barcelona 2025, opti trade fair presence, Azubi apprentice programs, quarterly OPTOPUS magazine). Headcount is concentrated (~9 at BPC plus ~18 at to.eyes), reflecting a lean cooperative model with revenue leverage concentrated in supplier partnerships, exclusive brands, and member services rather than internal headcount expansion.

Name

Brillen-Profi-Contact GmbH

Legal name

Brillen-Profi-Contact GmbH

Website

https://brillen-profi.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Brillen-Profi-Contact GmbH (brillen.profi) is Germany's largest purchasing and service cooperative for independent optical retailers, offering free membership to 1,800+ members with supplier rebates, exclusive private-label brands, AI marketing tools (eyeqube), business consulting, and succession brokerage.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optical Retail Services and Purchasing Cooperative

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers (423460), Optical Goods Retailers (456130)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Retail (Glasses/Frames/Lenses) (HLAKAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Eyewear Retail & DTC Brands (Frames & Sunglasses) (CRAAAKAK)

Keywords

• Optical retail network
• Purchasing cooperative
• Business consulting services
• Optician marketing services
• Eyewear wholesale group

Headquarters

HQ city

Kaufbeuren

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Free membership with no joining fees, no minimum contract term. Revenue generated through member purchasing volume rebates, special bonuses at year-end, and service fees.
2. Supplier Rebates and Bonuses: Members receive natural or price rebates and special year-end bonuses based on purchasing volume through 45+ listed suppliers.
3. Exclusive Brand Sales: Sale of exclusive brands L1.Lens swissmade (spectacle lenses), eye² (contact lenses), and original eyewear (frames).
4. Professional Services: Business consulting, coaching, succession planning seminars, founding workshops, and training programs for members.
5. Marketing Services (to.eyes): In-house marketing agency provides advertising, print, web, social media services to members and 1,000+ opticians. Fee-based services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Brillen-Profi-Contact GmbH (brillen.profi) is Germany's largest service and purchasing cooperative for independent, owner-operated optical retailers, serving over 1,800 member businesses with free membership. The cooperative provides group purchasing advantages through 45+ listed suppliers, exclusive private-label brands (L1.Lens swissmade, eye², original eyewear), marketing services via subsidiary to.eyes (eyeqube analytics, eyepage storefronts), business consulting with BAFA subsidies, training programs, and a business succession platform (OptiChange).

Product overview

Brillen-Profi-Contact GmbH operates as the largest purchasing and marketing network for independent optical businesses in Germany, serving over 1,800 member operations. The offering is a multi-module platform combining: (1) Exclusive private-label brands (L1.Lens swissmade for spectacle lenses, eye² for contact lenses and care products, original eyewear for frames), (2) AI-powered marketing tools from subsidiary to.eyes (eyeqube® analytics platform, eyepage® digital storefront), (3) Business succession services (OptiChange platform, [si:ju] dual brand repositioning), (4) Contact lens supply system (myeye²), (5) Professional development programs (Azubi-Akademie, ERFA-Gruppen, consulting), and (6) Healthcare integration (ZEISS EyeCare Network with Ocumeda for telemedicine screening). The network also includes sister company BestAkustik for hearing aid members and to.eyes marketing agency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• to.eyes: Marketing agency providing advertising, web design, social media marketing, and data-based marketing solutions (eyeqube) for optical and acoustic businesses
• BestAkustik
• OptiChange
• [si:ju]
• L1.Lens swissmade
• eye²
• original eyewear (O:E)
• Optonia

Products and services

• L1.Lens swissmade
• eye²
• original eyewear (O:E)
• OptiChange

Quantifiable outcome

• Bonus refund up to 1,200 euros per year through PRO program for exclusive brand sales
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• INEUROPcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016European network of leading purchasing and network groups for traditional optical retailers. Founded 2016 as a joint initiative of Brillen-Profi and Switzerland's Dynoptic Group (with roots over 20 years ago). Organizes the Gamechanger-Event bringing top opticians from across Europe together.
• Carl Zeiss VisioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor spectacle lens manufacturer listed as a supplier partner. Provides natural or price rebates plus year-end bonuses to Brillen-Profi members through the purchasing network.
• Essilor GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading spectacle lens manufacturer listed as supplier partner. Provides purchasing advantages to member optical retailers.
• Luxottica GermanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor eyewear group (Ray-Ban, Oakley, etc.) listed as supplier partner for spectacle frames and sunglasses.
• Alcon Deutschland GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContact lens and lens care manufacturer listed as supplier partner. Hosts Azubi-Days 2026 at their facility in Großwallstadt.
• CooperVisioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContact lens manufacturer listed as supplier partner providing purchasing benefits to members.
• Optiswiss AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss spectacle lens manufacturer powering L1.Lens exclusive brand. Listed as both supplier and exclusive brand partner.
• SEIKO Optical EuropecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapanese spectacle lens manufacturer listed as supplier partner.
• SafilocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEyewear manufacturer listed as supplier partner for spectacle frames.
• Silhouette DeutschlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustrian eyewear manufacturer (titanium frames) listed as supplier partner.
• CHARMANT GmbH EuropecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapanese eyewear manufacturer listed as supplier partner.
• Eschenbach OptikcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOptical equipment and eyewear manufacturer listed as supplier partner for both equipment and accessories.
• Bausch + LombcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContact lens and eye health company listed as supplier partner.
• MARCHON GermanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEyewear manufacturer listed as supplier partner.
• De Rigo Vision D.A.CH. GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian eyewear group listed as supplier partner.
• Marcolin DeutschlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEyewear manufacturer listed as supplier partner.
• VisionixcoreTechnology or IntegrationOptometric screening technology provider presenting at Thementage 2025. Products include devices for eye health screening used by members.
• OCULUS Optikgeräte GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationOptical equipment manufacturer presenting optometric devices at Thementage 2025.
• OcumedacoreTechnology or IntegrationLeading provider of low-threshold eye prevention in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Partnered with ZEISS for the EyeCare Network providing medical eye check-ups in optical stores.
• MirantuscoreTechnology or IntegrationOptometric concepts provider presenting at Thementage 2025.
• MENICONcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapanese contact lens manufacturer listed as supplier partner.
• Wöhlk ContactlinsencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContact lens manufacturer listed as supplier partner.
• AVIZORcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContact lens care products manufacturer listed as supplier partner.
• MPG&E Handel und ServicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContact lens distributor listed as supplier partner.
• Oculus (OptiChange)coreTechnology or IntegrationOnline platform for business succession/brokerage in optics and hearing acoustics. Launched 2016 as the first platform of its kind in the industry.
• AOS Unternehmensberatung GmbHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLeading M&A advisor in the optical/hearing aid industry. Cooperates with OptiChange for independent succession brokerage.
• BestAkustik GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary Leistungsgemeinschaft (performance partnership) for hearing aid acousticians (Hörakustiker). Sister company operating with the same network model. Together with brillen.profi serves 2,500 member operations.
• to.eyes GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-house marketing agency founded 2008 as a subsidiary of brillen.profi. 18-person team provides advertising and marketing services to 1,000+ opticians. Developer of eyeqube and eyepage proprietary platforms. Winner of TOP 100 Innovator 2021.
• ZEISS (Carl Zeiss Vision)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor lens and eye health technology partner. Sponsored Gamechanger-Event 2025, presented ZEISS EyeCare Network (telemedicine with Ocumeda), AI in optical retail insights, and VISUREF 1000 screening device. Dustin Sahm (Director Partnerships, Retail Services & IT DACH) participated in events.
• React-SwissminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss sports and ski goggle manufacturer (subsidiary of optrel family). New sponsor for Ski-Opening 2025 in Obergurgl. Features ShadeTronic auto-tinting technology with 0.1-second adjustment and solar-powered operation.
• BAFAcoreOthersFederal Agency for Economic Affairs and Export Control (Bundesagentur für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle). State subsidy program providing up to 90% funding for business consulting costs. Brillen-Profi's consulting services meet BAFA criteria.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Eyes & More: European optical retail chain operating in Germany and other countries. Targets mid-market eyewear consumers with value pricing, overlapping Brillen-Profi members' customer segment but with a centralized retail chain model.
• Mister Spex: Germany's leading online optical retailer, now owned by EssilorLuxottica. Competes for the same end consumers via multi-brand prescription eyewear online, representing the digital incumbent that independent optical retailers in Brillen-Profi's network must defend against.
• Apollo-Optik: Major German optical retail chain owned by GrandVision (EssilorLuxottica Retail). Operates a centralized multi-store chain serving similar end consumers as Brillen-Profi members, but with corporate retail economics rather than a cooperative purchasing model.
• Pearle (EssilorLuxottica Retail): Pan-European optical retail chain under EssilorLuxottica Retail, with broad multi-country footprint. Comparable target consumers and optical retail focus, but operates as a corporate chain versus Brillen-Profi's independent cooperative model.

Others

• Carl Zeiss Vision (ZEISS): Major spectacle lens and eye-health technology manufacturer listed as a core supplier partner of Brillen-Profi. Comparable as a key player in the German optical value chain; strategic supplier and event sponsor (e.g., Gamechanger-Event, EyeCare Network with Ocumeda).
• EssilorLuxottica: Global eyewear and lens conglomerate that is simultaneously a major Brillen-Profi supplier partner (Essilor, Luxottica) and the owner of competing retail chains (Apollo-Optik, Pearle, Mister Spex). Represents both an enabling partner and a structural risk to the cooperative's independence.

Direct peers

• Fielmann AG: Germany's largest optical retail chain (~1,000 stores). Brillen-Profi's 1,800+ independent member retailers directly compete with Fielmann for end consumers, making it the most relevant competitive overlap in German optical retail.
• Dynoptic Group: Swiss optical retailer purchasing cooperative and co-founder of INEUROP with Brillen-Profi in 2016. Operates a near-identical business model: group purchasing for independent opticians, supplier rebates, exclusive brands, and member services. The most direct comparable by structure and target market.

Emerging players

• Lenskart: Indian DTC optical retail innovator with proprietary brands, tech-enabled fitting, and aggressive omnichannel expansion. Comparable in optical retail focus and brand-building approach, but operates in a different geography with tech-led DTC economics.
• Warby Parker: US-based DTC eyewear retailer with proprietary brands and home try-on technology. Comparable in optical retail focus and vertically integrated brand strategy, but US-focused and DTC-led rather than cooperative-based.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/toeyeswerbung
• Instagraminstagram.com/to.eyes/?hl=de
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brillen-profi-contact-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Brillen-Profi-Contact GmbH