Connected Coast to Coast
We’re a national player working with regional partners to deliver the most efficient logistics for you.
Back then, the goal was simple: help laboratories and distributors move frames and lenses quickly, safely, efficiently and reliably across the city.
As the sector grew and evolved, so did we.
Our fleet and systems became more sophisticated and our delivery network expanded. Our experience and knowledge deepened with every journey and we continued to build lasting, genuine relationships in the industry.
Over the decades, Harts has built lasting partnerships with laboratories, manufacturers and independent practices, many of whom have trusted and depended on us from the start. We’ve earned that trust by doing what we say we’ll do, every day: delivering on time, communicating clearly, and treating every parcel as if it’s our own.
Today, Harts remains family-led and proudly independent. As a team and a company, we embody the same values that have shaped the business from the start; and the personal service and attention to detail that defined us from the start is still what makes us stand out today.
Our timeline:
Early 1990s
Harts is acquired by Alex Mueller. Having originally been started by Tom Hart in the 1980s, Alex shared Tom’s vision of bringing delivery drivers and routes together under one, trusted roof, with added efficiency and joined-up logistics. He bought the company to take that vision forward for future generations, and the company quickly grew.
1992
Mike Materazzo forms Optical Courier Service in Melbourne. Having been in the optical industry since the 1960s, Mike was looking for a new challenge, and one he could call his own. He put his vast knowledge and experience in the industry to work and established OCS, which was immediately well supported by his excellent sector relationships. The company quickly grew.
2001
The Muellers and Materazzo get together to form National Optical Distribution, both seeing an opportunity to branch out nationally and recognising the strengths in joining forces. Their shared vision is to become the logistics backbone of Australia’s optical industry. Each keep their original companies of Harts and OCS, which immediately become trusted regional delivery partners for National Optical Distribution.
Today
The original structure of National Optical remains in place. Having established relationships with further regional delivery partners across Australia and owning additional warehouses in Adelaide and Brisbane, today we are truly a dynamic national firm able to deliver the reliability and trust of exceptional integrated logistics across all territories while maintaining a personal service that’s focused on you and your clients.
Our mission remains the same: to be operationally seamless and trusted to keep your goods moving smoothly across Australia, delivering focus and trust every time.
