The Binder Optik University Award Prize 2024 goes to
Tamara Beil.

And the Oscar goes to … Tamara Beil, B.Sc. Ophthalmic Optics/Optometry. We warmly congratulate the recent graduate of Aalen University! Tamara Beil dedicated her thesis to the exciting and controversial topic: “Success factors in the takeover of traditional optician’s stores – an explorative qualitative analysis based on interviews with the successors.” In short: How can a successful takeover of specialist optical stores be achieved?

In view of ageing owners, a tense economic situation and a shortage of specialist staff, this question is being asked more than ever before. Research from 2023 shows that 31% of the approximately 11,000 specialist opticians in Germany want to hand over their business in one to five years. It is therefore imperative to start thinking about a successful handover as early as possible. However, there are no step-by-step instructions for this.

Tamara Beil got to the bottom of the topic with extensive research and numerous interviews with successors. Her academic supervisors at Aalen University praised the high quality of her thesis in their laudatory speech. For this, the 23-year-old was awarded the Binder Optik Prize 2024 on October 29. She was presented with the prize, endowed with 3000 euros, in a festive setting by Senator E.h. Consul General Dr. Helmut Baur.

Beil was delighted: “I dedicated myself to this topic because it is currently a very hot topic in the industry. I will be delighted if the results make a helpful contribution to future company handovers and thus prevent business closures.” Binder Optik and the city of Aalen are not only linked by the company ZEISS, a local producer of high-quality ophthalmic lenses, or the large Binder Optik specialist store in the lively pedestrian zone. For over twenty years, Binder Optik has donated the prize as a sign of its solidarity with Aalen University and as recognition for graduates who have done outstanding scientific work in their field. The award is presented every two years for theses with a high level of innovation and practical usability for the economy.