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1995
Caseco was born from the demand for high quality glasses cases, specifically for a prestigious opticians practice in London’s West End. Upon leaving his role of European Quality and Sourcing Director for Franklin Mint, a large American giftware company, Peter Wood Caseco’s founder, often met friend and optician Roger Pope at the school gates as they both dropped their children off at school.
One morning Roger shared his frustration at the lack of tasteful, quality glasses cases he could find to sell from his practice window. They both saw the opportunity…
After visiting a variety of quality glasses case producers, Peter established Caseco in 1995, in his garage, in the small picturesque village of Goudhurst, Kent.
There were quite a number of companies supplying glasses cases to the British market: WT Rees, Lesser Bros, Optoplast, and most famously, Willmotts. So Caseco needed to make a name amidst the well established competition.
To generate Caseco’s initial demand, Peter created a mailer of a classic flock Spring-top case, printed with Caseco’s contact details. Coupled with an attractive price this created a foothold in the market through which he could present his unique and high-quality range of spectacle cases, promoted under the strap-line: “Cases for the Discerning Optician.”
1997
Only 2 years later, after moving from Peter’s garage to a small office and warehouse in the same Kentish village, Caseco won the agency for Henry Jullien eyewear and their luxury licensed brand, Boucheron.
To invest in their growth, they hired Julian Clarke as their first sales representative, later to become managing director.
Over subsequent years Caseco forged strong relationships, with the top independent optical practices across in the UK and Ireland.
By defining a more concise, bespoke case and lens care accessories service, and by adding other high quality eyewear collections to their portfolio, Caseco grew in market share, and in reputation.
Peter’s creativity brought the innovative So-Slim and Peek readers to birth, designed specifically for opticians. These were widely adopted and are still in demand today.
2000
In 2000, Caseco moved to a 3,000ft2 warehouse and office in Staplehurst, Kent. The sales team grew under Julian’s management and in the same year, Julian became an equity partner.
Distributing other leading eyewear companies - Gold and Wood, BLI (responsible for J.F.REY and BOZ eyewear), Morel, Lunettes Grassets et Associés - Caseco became a supplier of first choice for medium to high position independent opticians.
2013
The sales team continued to grow and by 2013 Caseco won multiple awards at Optrafair.
When Julian left to join British eyewear brand Cutler and Gross, Caseco’s remaining leadership made the strategic decision to concentrate on quality cases and accessories.
2020
As sadly, as the pandemic approached in 2020, it became apparent Peter Wood’s health was waning. As the world locked-down, Roger called Julian, who having established a commercial consultancy, observed in Caseco's client-base a strong loyalty. This pointed to the foundation for a strong future.
2022
Caseco was relocated from Kent, to Oxfordshire to be closer to more of their customers.
Sustainability became a key pillar of Caseco’s beliefs and led to their re-location to The Eco Business Centre, Bicester – a net carbon-positive building. A new fulfilment partner was chosen on their sustainability credentials – a family-owned and run business with it’s own electric fleet.
Caseco made a decision to start the journey to net zero; not just for operations in the UK, but also in all supply chains globally.
2024
Today Caseco enjoys the patronage of prestigious practices across the UK and overseas.
In the optical sector, expansion is driven by new product and eyewear collection launches - each collection chosen for the commercial advantage it delivers.
Caseco also grows in other markets such as gift, pharmacy and jewellery. And building on Julian’s international experience, Caseco continues to grow sales of its core products in markets overseas.