Alcon Laboratories: A Vision Fulfilled, 1947-1997

Alcon Laboratories, founded in 1947 by Bob Alexander and Bill Conner, grew from a small operation in Fort Worth into the world’s leading ophthalmic specialty company by 1997. This narrative explores Alcon’s remarkable journey, highlighting three core pillars of its success: the Alcon Family, groundbreaking products, and visionary leadership. From its early days with just two employees, the company expanded to over 10,500 workers and grew from one product to thousands, with a global presence including state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and the world’s largest ophthalmic research and development laboratory. Alcon’s focus on innovation, quality products, and customer satisfaction played a central role in its success.

Alcon’s growth was fueled by its unique culture and strong leadership. Alexander and Conner fostered an environment that was intellectually stimulating and financially rewarding, where many employees enjoyed long, fulfilling careers. The company’s leadership, particularly the collaboration between its founders and later generations—especially George Leone and Ed Schollmaier—played a key role in guiding Alcon through its evolution. In 1997, twenty years after Nestlé bought Alcon, Alcon generated 3 percent of Nestlé’s sales and 12 percent of its profits. Alcon’s success story is a testament to its ability to remain focused on the needs of eye care specialists while navigating a changing scientific and medical landscape.