Two industry giants have combined forces to venture into an e-commerce alliance. Essilor of America, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. recently announced the formation of VisionWeb, an online Web site for eyecare products, services and information. The two companies are co-developing the new e-commerce system for the optical industry.

"Through relationships with Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. and other industry leaders, VisionWeb will launch a comprehensive commerce system that invites participation from manufacturers, distributors and wholesale businesses throughout the optical industry," said Hubert Sagni�res, president of Essilor of America, Inc.

The VisionWeb management team will be led by Dennis Upah, former chief operating officer of drkoop.com, who was recently named president and chief executive officer of VisionWeb.

Upah explained, "Our intent, under the VisionWeb umbrella, is to bring together manufacturers, independent laboratories, retailers, insurance companies, eyecare profes- sionals, health and medical resources and patients seeking information, to foster a dynamic commercial online environment that will benefit the entire eyecare community."

In other words, bring all of these parts of the optical industry to one site, so that they can all benefit.

VisionWeb is expected to launch in the United States in early 2001, and according to Sagni�res, one of its key objectives is to encourage more patients to visit their eyecare practitioners more often.

The company's headquarters is in Austin, Tex.