By Marge Axelrad
Monday, September 16, 2019 12:45 AM
NEW YORK—Eyewear made in the U.S. has been experiencing a resurgence in the past few years, as newer firms and startups as well as older, long-time family companies with deep, historical roots in the sector are committed to furthering their presence in the business. Old and new, each is looking to develop or expand connections to a new generation of customers—and eyecare professionals and optical retailers—who appreciate brand stories and authentic history about how products are made and where they come from.
By Marge Axelrad
Monday, September 16, 2019 12:44 AM
ROCHESTER, N.Y.—The third generation is hard at work at ArtCraft Optical, continuing their grandfather’s legacy, one they see defining the company as synonymous with American-made legendary looks, world-class quality and a craftsmanship embedded in its DNA. Family-owned and continuously operated since 1918, ArtCraft is a global leader in the design and manufacture of dress frames, safety and military optical frames.
By Marge Axelrad
Monday, September 16, 2019 12:43 AM
VERNON HILLS, Ill.—STATE Optical Co. describes itself is a “first-of-its-kind brand of luxury American eyewear proudly being manufactured in Chicago, USA.” After much investment since the company started as they partnered with then California Frieze Frame founders Mark Franchi and Jason Stanley, to relocate, build and create the new endeavor here, Scott Shapiro, STATE’s CEO recalls, “From a manufacturing standpoint, we have learned so much in five years, including the real obstacles of making eyeglasses in the U.S. without the infrastructure that supports such an endeavor. The machinery, servicing it, the raw materials to bring in, the tools, the training of a workforce is just the beginning.”
By Marge Axelrad
Monday, September 16, 2019 12:42 AM
NEW YORK—Modo’s M Factory in Brooklyn is part of the growing “maker” and creative community within the legendary borough in a center known as Industry City. The company cites its origins in New York City in 1990, its new factory initiative was several years in the planning and concept stages before beginning its production. M Factory focuses on classic shapes and constructions.
By Marge Axelrad
Monday, September 16, 2019 12:41 AM
RANDOLPH, Mass.—From start to finish, Randolph USA has been building frames in America, at its facility outside of Boston, since 1973. Today, the company’s consistent investment, its strong relationships with all branches of the U.S. armed forces, and embarking on new innovations in specialties like precision sports and expansion into lifestyle sun and ophthalmics, is transforming the family-run firm. Randolph has added to its in-house manufacturing experts by augmenting its management team with new product development, marketing and sales expertise to reach new customers and a new generation of wearers.
By Marge Axelrad
Monday, September 16, 2019 12:40 AM
MIAMI—The Valmassoi family of Thema are using their history of Italian frame making to bring new capabilities to the company’s U.S. factory in Miami, and, most recently, are applying new digital technology to the company’s work on 3D acetate production. For some time, Thema has been offering customization options for its iGreen and O-Six lines as well as for the new Black Label collections debuting this fall.
By Marge Axelrad
Monday, September 16, 2019 12:39 AM
NEW YORK—Lowercase NYC launched in Brooklyn’s Army Terminal in January 2017. But founder Gerard Masci’s path to eyewear actually started in 2015. He’d been working in the financial sector, as an investment analyst. But he was intrigued by the makers who were already working in the field, like Randolph and California’s Kala eyewear, and he started to research more. He literally also started to Google “how to” videos about framemaking, but then learning about materials, found Mazzuchelli and met with their representatives in downtown NYC not far from where he’d grown up.
By Marge Axelrad
Monday, September 16, 2019 12:38 AM
PLAINVILLE, Mass.—Hilco Vision this year introduced a 100 percent made in the USA Rx safety frame, from its OnGuard Industrial Safety Eyewear division.
By Marge Axelrad
Monday, September 16, 2019 12:37 AM
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—After spending nearly half a decade training with master eyewear makers in the Italian Alps, Ashley Bezamat, founder of the luxury eyewear label Dom Vetro, returned to his native Los Angeles and in 2017 opened the city’s first vertically-integrated eyewear workshop adjacent to Culver City. There, he and his team of artisans use the same machinery, materials, and fabrication techniques as the Italian experts who taught him, to create unique and timeless eyewear that can be enjoyed for generations.
By Staff
Wednesday, August 28, 2019 12:21 AM
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif.—
Oakley has announced a four-year partnership with the National Football League that makes the brand the NFL’s official on-field partner and licensee. This partnership is the biggest sports deal in Oakley’s history, and will begin at the start of the 2019-2020 professional football season. Under the partnership, Oakley’s Powered by Prizm Lens Technology will be available for all 32 NFL teams, and Officially Licensed NFL Eyewear will be available for fans to purchase.
By Staff
Wednesday, August 7, 2019 12:24 AM
LAVAL, Quebec—Citing a strong performance in its vision care business,
Bausch Health Companies (NYSE/TSX: BHC) reported Tuesday that its sales in the second quarter rose by 3 percent on an “organic” basis and $24 million overall to $2.15 billion. This total compares with $2.12 billion in sales in the year-ago period. It was the sixth consecutive quarter of total company organic revenue growth and the 11th consecutive quarter that the Bausch+Lomb / International segment delivered organic revenue growth, according to Tuesday’s announcement.
By Staff
Wednesday, August 7, 2019 12:15 AM
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla.—
ABB Optical has begun accepting applications for its sixth annual ABB Cares program. The program has awarded more than $65,000 in community grants to non-profit organizations across the country over the past five years, according to a recent announcement. The deadline to submit an application is 11:59 p.m. (ET) Saturday, Aug. 31. “Through ABB Cares, we have been introduced to some truly remarkable charities that are supporting children in need, feeding the hungry, providing health care and vision care to vulnerable populations, creating opportunities for people with disabilities and more,” ABB Optical Group chief executive officer Tom Burke said in the announcement.
By Staff
Tuesday, July 16, 2019 10:06 AM
Product: ABB Optical products integration with RevolutionEHR’s SmartFlow for Sight ordering technology