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.

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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.

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Alcon Laboratories: A Vision Fulfilled, 1947-1997

Alcon Laboratories: A Vision Fulfilled, 1947-1997

by Thomas McDonald
Alcon Laboratories: A Vision Fulfilled, 1947-1997

Alcon Laboratories: A Vision Fulfilled, 1947-1997

by Thomas McDonald

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780875659145
Publisher: TCU Press
Publication date: 05/08/2025
Product dimensions: 10.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Thomas O. “Tom” McDonald spent 39 years at Alcon, retiring as vice president of R&D in 2004 and entering the Alcon Hall of Fame in 2006. A TCU graduate (’65, ’67) with a PhD from Tulane, he helped launch more than 50 ophthalmic products and guided Alcon’s explosive growth into a global leader. After retirement, he consulted for Nestlé Nutrition and turned to Texas history, publishing Texas Rangers, Ranchers, and Realtors (2021) and the forthcoming Alcon Laboratories—A Vision Fulfilled (1947–1997). He serves on advisory committees for TCU Press and the Center for Texas Studies and received the 2005 TCU Valuable Alumni Award.
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