Bausch + Lomb (BLCO) plans to return to public markets on Friday, and dual list on the NYSE and Toronto Stock Exchange. Being spun out of Bausch Health Companies (formerly Valeant), Bausch + Lomb’s $788 million offering is set to be the second-largest IPO so far this year, behind TPG’s (TPG) billion-dollar debut in January. Since its founding in 1853, Bausch + Lomb has had a storied history, and changed hands numerous times in recent decades.
1853-1958: Founding and early growth
Bausch + Lomb traces its roots to 1853, when John J. Bausch set up an optical goods shop in Rochester, New York. To keep the business going, Bausch borrowed $60 from Henry Lomb, who later became a full partner. Their business went on to produce rubber eyeglass frames, optical glass, binoculars, microscopes and related products, eventually growing into what is now known as Bausch + Lomb.
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