Balester Optical
Founded:
1934
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees:
91
Key Executives:
Heather Balester, Dale Parmenteri, Fred P. Balester
Owners:
Fred J. Balester, Dale Parmenteri, Patrick Balester, Susan Balester Dennis, James Balester, Valerie Balester, Dorothy Hodle, Jonathan Balester, Marc Balester, William Balester, Heather Balester, Fred P. Balester, Jacqueline Pekar
Trade Names
: Balester Optical
Key Markets:
Eastern U.S.
2009
Est. Net Sales:
$13.5 million
Rx Sales:
$13.0 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
858
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
55%
Comments: In-house AR brands: Crizal, Crizal Alize, Crizal Avance with Scotchgard, Zeiss Super ET Plus, Carat Advantage and Essilor’s House Ez. Lens brands: Varilux, Definity, Transitions, Kodak, Sunsensors, Hoya, Shamir, Zeiss, Seiko, Pentax, NuPolar, Xperio, Coppertone, iRx, EOS, Sun Rx, Phoenix, Trilogy, Instashades, Life Rx, AO Compact Ultra. Frame Brands: Stetson, Sophia Loren, Randy Jackson, Via Spiga, Bulova, BUM, Just-Match-It, Bratz, Nickelodeon, Austin Reed, Manish Arora, Mayhem, Conran. Other Products: Smart Mirror, Smart Look, Smart Centration, Wink Pad, Y-Stick. Programs include Balester Dispenser Awards (Transitions), Value, Kid’s & Drilled Rimless Packages, 2nd Pair Program, Balester Direct Rx Program, Balester Back to School Program, Superstar Frame, I-Sport Rec Specs Lab, Board Management Program, $2,000 Minute ABO-Certified Education Series, CPR ABO Training. On-line ordering-VisionWeb, Eyefinity, E-Dr.com, remote tracing, 24-hour on-line order status. VSP, VBA, IDOC, Vision Source, Essilor Edge, Practice Plus Program, Shamir and Zeiss Rewards.
www.balester.com
Brothers’ Optical Laboratory
Founded
: 1973
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Orange, Calif.
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees:
59
Key Executives:
Carlo Ragazzo, Tony Esposito
Owners:
Joseph M. Ragazzo, John Ragazzo
Trade Names
: none
Key Market:
California, Arizona, Las Vegas, Oregon, Hawaii
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$11.5 million
Rx Sales:
$11.5 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
550
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
23%
Comments: Well-established, full-service lab
www.brothersoptical.com
CSC Laboratories
Founded:
1967
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Watsonville, Calif.
No. of Locations:
2
No. of Employees
: 165
Key Executives:
Dong K. Kim, group president/CEO; Bu Kim, senior VP, manufacturing; Paul Yoon, VP, operations; Butch Fralix, VP, business development; Greg Kohmescher, CFO; Robert C. Kim, legal counsel; Mike Kim, GM, Microcoating Laboratory; Jim Serruys, GM, Ocular Laboratories
Owner:
Dong Kook Kim
Trade Names:
CSC Laboratories, (Watsonville, Calif.); Microcoating Laboratory (Watsonville, Calif.); Ocular Laboratories (San Jose, Calif.); Boutique Design, Inc.
Key Markets:
U.S., Central and South America, Caribbean, South Pacific
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$28.5 million
Rx Sales:
$25.6 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
1,650
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
30%
Comments: Authorized manufacturer of Crizal/Crizal Alize AR coating, Teflon, PureCoat, Zeiss Carat. Authorized manufacturer of Shamir Autograph, Varilux 360 and Definity. Offers complete range of stock lenses, including polycarbonate hard coated, AR coated, hard resin uncoated, hard coated, AR coated; high-index 1.60 and 1.67 hard coated, AR coated under trademarks Conti-Lite, Conti-Guard, Millenia AR; semi-finished progressive lenses under brane name TotalView. Frame product line consists of 250 upper-middle and high-fashion styles under CSC’s own trade names, plus a complete line of safety frames that meet ANSI Z87-1 standards. 40% of frame line manufactured in Europe under special arrangement; 60% manufactured in Asia. New designer frame lines for 2009 under Boutique Design, Inc., a solely owned subsidiary of Optics East, Inc.: Martini Design, Gattinoni Collection and Garrison Perspectives Collection, Renato Balestra and West. Service programs include Rx Express Unlimited frame/lens program. Authorized VSP contract lab.
www.csclabs.com
Carl Zeiss Vision Laboratories
Founded:
2000
HQ.:
San Diego, Calif.
No. of Locations:
18
No. of Employees:
1,090
Key Executives:
Fred Howard, Dave Delle Donne, David Jochims
Owner:
Carl Zeiss Vision
Trade Names:
Carl Zeiss Vision—B&W, Key Executives:
Fred Howard, Dave Delle Donne, David Jochims
Owner:
Carl Zeiss Vision
Trade Names:
Carl Zeiss Vision—B&W, Carl Zeiss Vision—Cumberland, Carl Zeiss Vision—Florida, Carl Zeiss Vision—Great Lakes, Carl Zeiss Vision—Kansas City, Carl Zeiss Vision— Siouxland, Carl Zeiss Vision—Kentucky, Carl Zeiss Vision—Southwest, Carl Zeiss Vision—Northeast, Carl Zeiss Vision—North Central, Carl Zeiss Vision—Northwest, Carl Zeiss Vision—Southeastern, Carl Zeiss Vision—California, Carl Zeiss Vision—Texas, Carl Zeiss Vision—Virginia, Carl Zeiss Vision—Georgia, Carl Zeiss Vision—Iowa.
Key Markets:
Nationwide
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$150 million
Rx Sales:
$142.5 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
10,500
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
25%
Comments: Network of full-service laboratories. Proprietary products include Teflon Clear Coat lenses, Zeiss, SOLA, AO. VSP contract lab.
www.vision.zeiss.com
Cherry Optical
Founded:
1999
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Green Bay, Wis.
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees:
28
Key Executives:
Adam Cherry, Lynn Cherry, Joe Cherry
Owners:
Adam Cherry, Lynn Cherry, Joe Cherry
Trade Names:
Safety Optix
Key Markets:
Upper Midwest
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$6.0 million
Rx Sales:
$5.9 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day
: 325
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
20%
Comments: Specializes in free-form progressive and digital optics. Proprietary products include Varilux, Crizal, Hoya Phoenix, Hoya progressives, Hoya Super High Vision. Offers “What’s New University” and other educational programs; safety Rx programs.
Classic Optical
Founded:
1970
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Youngstown, Ohio
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees:
70
Key Executives:
Monte Friedkin, president; Dawn Friedkin, GM; Bob Sherman, dir. of sales; Rodney Remsey, dir. of lab operations
Owner:
Friedkin family
Trade Names:
None
Key Markets:
National
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$12.5 million
Rx Sales:
$12.4 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
1,900
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
10%
Comments: Family-owned and operated state-of-the-art facility with digital/free-form surfacing equipment and two robotic precision lens edging lines (MEI); Authorized distributor of all major lens brands, featuring Shamir and Zeiss Premium Products; Full line of Essilor and Varilux products; Many brands of AR. Large frame inventory for custom programs (name brands include Essence, Dockers, Hilary Duff and Shrek); offers frame and lens packages (Affordable Vision, Value Vision, Premium Value); Online orders accepted via proprietary online ordering system, VisionWeb and Eyefinity; contract lab for VSP (Lab #126), VBA (Lab #267) and a number of other regional and national managed care programs.
www.classicoptical.com
Diversified Ophthalmics Laboratory Group
Founded:
1977
H.Q./Main Lab Location:
Cincinnati, Ohio
No. of Locations:
13
No. of Employees
: 115
Key Executives:
Ronald Cooke, president/CEO; Ronald Cooke, Jr., COO
Owner:
Closely held corporation
Trade names:
DLAB, DO Kentuckiana, DO Southeast, DO Washington, OptiSource, PureSite, Salt Lake Optical, Summit Optical, TriOptics
Key Markets:
Ga. Idaho, Ind., Ky., La., Mich., Mont., N.C., Pa., Ohio, S.C., Tenn., Texas, Utah, Wash., Wis., W.Va.
2009 Est. Net sales:
$30.6 million
Rx Sales:
$13.2 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
1,005
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
20%
Comments: Full service labs with ophthalmic lens and RGP manufacturing capabilities. 2005 Transitions “Lab of the Year.” Transitions Platinum Elite Laboratory. Authorized Varilux distributor. VSP contract lab. Signet Armorlite partner lab. Operates on-site AR coating facility. Proprietary products include PureSite Lenses, PureSite Preference AR and Practice Maximus. Specializes in premium lenses. Offers eyeglass and contact lens packages, Perfect View frame-and-lens value packages, certified continuing education seminars and staff training. On-line and electronic ordering, remote frame tracing. Services/programs include Frames Travel Programs, Transitions Day at the Races, Seminars, RIP, Perfect View, DBAN, Eye to the Sky. Member of the OLA and AR Council. 2006, 2007 and 2008 OLA Top Ten Web Site of the Year.
www.divopt.com
Essilor
Founded:
1996
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Dallas, Texas
No. of Locations:
122
No. of Employees:
6,050
Key Executives:
Real Goulet-president; Mike Nathe-senior VP ELOA; Rick Long- senior VP Partner Labs; Jim Carne senior VP West division; Brad Staley-VP operations and technologies; Keith Norris-VP sales and strategic accounts.
Owner:
Essilor International
Trade Names:
21st Century Optical, AccuRX Inc., ACO, Aspen Optical, Avisia, Bartley Optical, Beitler-Mckee Optical, Bell Optical, Bristow Optical, Collard Rose Optical, Crown Optical, Custom Eyes, Dash Lab, DBL Labs, Deschutes Optical, Dependable Optics, Duffens Optical, Dunlaw Optical, East Coast Ophthalmic, Elite Optical, ELOA New Jersey, Empire Optical, Eyecare Express, Focus Optical, Future Optical, GK Optical, Heard Optical, Homer Optical, Jorgenson Optical, Interstate Optical, Kosh Ophthalmic, Meridian Optical, MGM Optical, Midland Optical, Milroy Optical, New City Optical, Omega Optical, Omni Optical Lab, Opal-Lite, Optical One, Optical Suppliers Inc., Optical Supply, Opti-Craft, Optogenics of Syracuse, Ozarks Optical, Pech Optical, Perferx Optical, Peninsula Optical, Personal Eyes Optical. Precision Optical Company, Precision Optics, Premier Optics, S&G Optical, Select Optical, Southern Optical, Select Optical.Southern Optical, Southwest Lens, Spectrum Optical, Sunstar Optical, Sutherlin Optical, Top Network, Tri-Supreme, Twin City Optical, Vision Craft Inc., WOS Optical
Key Markets:
Local and National
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$968 million
Rx Sales:
$880.1 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
64,500
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
40%
Comments: Nationwide network of full-service labs. Proprietary products include TD2, LiteStyle/Ultra LiteStyle Lenses, Crizal Avance with Scotchgard. Services and programs include Education Series and Need Based Solutions.
www.eloa.com
Expert Optics
Founded: 1979
HQ./Main Lab Location: Shorewood, Ill.
No. of Locations: 2
No. of Employees: 92
Key Executives: Greg Ruden; president; Don Ruden, CEO; Bob Pommier, director of lab operations; Sid Moore, director of sales; Bob Hughbanks, director of education.
Owner: Don Ruden, Greg Ruden
Trade names: none
Key Markets: Ill., Ind., Mich., Wis., Mo., Minn.
2009 Est. Net sales: $19 million
Rx Sales: $17.1 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 930
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 20%
Comments: Additional production facility to manufacture free-form progressives including Shamir Autograph, AO Easy HD, Compact Ultra HD, SOLA HDV, SOLAOne HD, Zeiss Individual and other designs from leading lens companies. Distributor of Kodak, Shamir, Varilux and Zeiss progressives. Signet Armorlite Partner lab, Carl Zeiss Vision Premier lab, Global Optics member. Produces Teflon Clear Coat and Kodak CleAR coatings in-house; also produces Zeiss Foundation XT, Carat and Carat Advantage lens treatments. Hosts annual Optical Preview Day. Experienced ABO-certified sales force offers in-office education seminars. Offers Jumpstart training program and Web-based lens inventory management system. Distributor sales department inventories over 50 frame lines with a multitude of frame and lens package programs.
www.expertoptics.net
FEA Industries
Founded:
1984
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Morton, Pa.
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees:
51
Key Executives:
William H. Heffner, III; Chrystal Colflesh, general manager; William H. Heffner, IV
Owner:
Willliam H. Heffner, III
Trade Names:
none
Key Markets:
national
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$10.9 million
Rx Sales:
$10.9 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
1,430
Percentage of Uncut Jobs
: 90%
Comments: Full-service lab offering in-house AR, glass lens processing. Web site includes ordering, tracking reports, invoices. Offers Kodak CleAR, special stock lens program. Carries all major brands except Varilux. Participates in third-party programs; VBA only.
www.feaind.com
Harbor Optical
Founded:
1997
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Traverse City, Mich.
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees:
43
Key Executives:
Bob Westlake, Mike Earl
Owner:
Geff Heidbrink
Trade Names:
Armorcoat, Esceed, Exceed XTC
Key Markets:
Michigan
2009 Est. Net Sales
: $6.7 million
Rx Sales:
$6.3 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
390
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
12%
Comments: Special programs include Partner Perks, Jumpstart Training, Individual Eyes. Global Optics member.
www.harboroptical.com
Hirsch Optical
Founded
: 1978
HQ./Main Lab Location
: Farmingdale, N.Y.
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees:
54
Key Executives:
Harold Rothstein, president/CEO; Kenneth Mittel, senior VP; Michael Rothstein, VP; Richard Salberg, director of sales; Vicki Masliah, director of professional education
Owners:
Hal Rothstein, Ken Mittel, Michael Rothstein
Trade Names:
CHAD and Super CHAD
Key Markets:
N.Y., N.J., Pa., Conn.
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$13 million
Rx Sales:
$12.1 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day
: 800
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
35%
Comments: Extensive offerings of lens and frame package programs. Offers proprietary AR coatings applied in-house: CHAD (Clear, Hard, Anti-Reflective, Durable) and premium coating Super CHAD. Same-day turnaround on most orders. EZ Rx, Eyefinity and VisionWeb on-line ordering and remote tracing. Accredited educational seminars. Award-winning Varilux distributor, Essilor Gold Advantage Plan lab, Transitions Platinum Elite Lab, Zeiss Partner Lab, Shamir ReCreating Perfect Vision Partnering Lab, Signet Armorlite Lab Partner, Hoya lens distributor. Authorized VSP and VBA contract lab. Vendor for Block Buying Group and Alfred J. Villavecchia Buying Group. Offers all Crizal, Hoya, Zeiss, glass and mirror coatings. Ophthalmic frame lines include Apple Bottoms By Nelly, Bill Blass, Cadillac Eyewear, Dockers, Donald J. Trump, Elizabeth Arden, Elizabeth Arden Petites, Essence Eyewear, Hershey’s Eyewear, Jill Stuart Eyewear, Levi’s, Liberty Rec Specs, Marco Polarized Sunwear, Mount Eyewear (stainless steel, titanium, polarized sport), New Balance, New Balance Kids, Perry Ellis, Stylewise, Scooby-Doo! And Stuff By Hilary Duff. Distributes Fantom custom clip-ons, Podreaders and Titmus safety frames. Web site features special retail customer referral program.
www.hirschoptical.com
Hoya Vision Care
Founded:
2000
HQ./Main Lab Location
: Lewisville, Texas
Locations:
19
Employees:
1,200
Key Executives:
Barney Dougher, president/CEO; Yoshiyuki Ono, VP lens technology; Rich Montag, VP sales; Rick Tinson, VP corporate governance; Kraig Black, VP information services; Jason White, senior executive controller: Ray Knoll, Northwest regional VP; Mike Dougher, Midwest and Northeast regional VP; Terry Farrell, Southwest regional VP; Iggy Fernandez, central regional VP; Don Dakin, Southwest regional VP; Michael Ness, director, new product development.
Owner:
Hoya Corporation
Trade Names
: Hoya Atlanta, Hoya Boise, Hoya Chicago, Hoya Cleveland, Hoya Dallas, Hoya Dayton, Hoya Eugene, Hoya Hartford, Hoya Knoxville, Hoya Largo, Hoya Lewiston, Hoya Los Angeles, Hoya Modesto, Hoya New Orleans, Hoya Portland, Hoya St. Louis, Hoya San Antonio, Hoya San Diego, Hoya Seattle
Key Markets:
National
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$205.0 million
Rx Sales:
$174.2 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
10,400
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
20%
Comments: Nationwide network of full-service labs. Proprietary lens designs: Hoyalux iD, Hoyalux iD LifeStyle, Hoyalux Summit ecp, Hoyalux Summit cd, Hoyalux GP Wide, Hoyalux GP, Hoyalux TACT, Nulux ep. Proprietary lens materials: 1.70, Eyry, 1.67 Eynoa, 1.60 Eyas, 1.53 Phoenix,1.50 Hilux and Nulux. Proprietary lens coatings: Super HiVision AR, HiVision AR, ViewProtect top coating, Suntech photochromics and Clarity Shield 2 scratch coating. Special Services/Programs include HHP (Hoya Honors Program).
www.hoyavision.com
Icare LABS
Founded:
1968
HQ./Main Lab Location:
St. Petersburg, Fla.
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees:
115
Key Executives:
Scott Payne, chairman; Skip Payne, president; James Payne, Bradley Husted, Greg Gehrig
Owners:
The Payne family
Trade Names:
Icare Labs, Sea Vision USA
Key Markets:
East Coast, Southwest
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$21.5 million
Rx Sales:
$20.5 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
2,150
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
50%
Comments: Full-service, family owned and operated. Offers all major lens brands such as Varilux, Kodak, Zeiss and Hoya. Offers customized services and pricing on lenses and frames. Operates in-house Crizal AR coating center. Manufactures specialized sport prescription lens products including dive masks.
www.icare.com
Katz & Klein
Founded
: 1937
HQ./Main Lab Location
: Sacramento, Calif.
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees
: 40
Key Executives:
Mike Francesconi, Corrine Hood
Owners:
Mike Francesconi, Corrine Hood
Trade Names:
Your Eyes, Supreme Partnership In Eyecare (SPIE), Katz Prudent Plan
Key Markets:
Northern Calif., Nev.
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$6.0 million
Rx Sales:
$5.7 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
401
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
18%
Comments: Produces in-house AR, including Kodak CleAR and Crizal. Proprietary programs include Jumpstart, Lenstock, SPIE, Katz Lens Packages, Katz Frame Packages. Global Optics member.
www.katzandklein.com
Luzerne Optical Laboratories
Founded:
1973
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Wilkes-Barre, Penn.
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees
: 200
Key Executives
: Jack Dougherty, president; Lorraine Dougherty, VP; Neil Dougherty, GM; John Dougherty, VP purchasing
Owner:
Dougherty family
Trade Names:
Polar365, SightStar, PhotoFashion, DuraCurve, Crizal, Crizal Alizé, Crizal Alizé with Clear Guard, TD2, Teflon, Advantage, Carat and Foundation XT, Kodak CleAR
Key Markets:
National
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$31.7 million
Rx Sales:
$30.7 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
1,900
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
56%
Comments: Offers wide range of exclusive promotions, customer incentive and educational programs. Field consultant force offers practice development, business reviews and private consultations. Specializes in processing all major brands of free-form progressive lenses. Manufactures SightStar, Polar365, PhotoFashion, Varilux, Zeiss, Definity, Shamir, Kodak, Hoya, Polycore, Kaenon, Seiko, Vision-Ease, DriveWear premium lenses and difficult Rxs. Offers frames, sunglasses, safety eyewear, soft contacts, low vision, and pharmaceuticals. Operates in-house AR facilities producing EVC—enhanced visual clarity, Crizal, Crizal Alizé, Crizal Alizé with Clear Guard, Avance with Scotchgard Protector, TD2, Teflon, Zeiss Super and Gold ET, Advantage, Carat and Foundation XT and mirror coatings and Kodak CleAR. In-house gas perm contact lens facility produces custom DuraCurve aspheric GPs. Provides advanced remote ordering with RxWizard, VisionWeb, Paradeyes and Eyefinity software via the Web. VSP- & VBA-approved lab.
www.luzerneoptical.com
MJ Optical
Founded:
1988
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Omaha, Neb.
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees
: 82
Key Executives:
Martin Hagge, Morrie Hagge, Matt Hagge, Michael Hagge
Owner:
Mary Hagge
Trade Names:
None
Key Markets
: National
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$15.8 million
Rx Sales:
$14.2 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day
: 1,590
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
43%
Comments: Distributes wide range of premium lens and frame brands. Added free-form digital surfacing in September 2009. Proprietary products include Nyteyez premium AR and Miraje AR, both produced in-house. Offers MJFP frame package; TFP titanium frame and lens package, industrial safety programs. Distributes contact lenses. Offers on-line ordering and job tracking.
www.mjoptical.com
Nassau Vision Group/Nova Optical Lab
Founded
: 1939
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Northvale, N.J.
No. of Locations
: 8
No. of Employees:
209
Key Executives:
François Bès de Berc; president, Irwin Kaufman, VP – CFO; Brian Ziegler, director of lab operations; David George, director of sales
Owner:
Essilor of America
Trade Names:
Nova Optical, Nassau Lens Florida, Nassau Lens Southwest, Nassau Lens Midwest, Nassau Lens Mid-Atlantic, Nassau Lens Southeast, Nassau Lens West
Key Markets:
National
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$82 million
Rx Sales:
$28.7 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
3,000
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
81%
Comments: Leading stock lens distributor, operates full-service labs. Offers surfacing, finishing, drill mounting, coatings and lens tinting. Varilux-authorized. Offers in-house Crizal coatings, including Crizal Avancé with Scotchgard Protector. Proprietary products include in-house, value tested Synergy and Triumph AR Coatings. Can get virtually any product or equivalent on the market. Offers wide variety of lens brands, including Shore, Essilor, Varilux, Carl Zeiss Vision (Zeiss, AO, Sola), Seiko, KBco, Signet Armorlite, Optima, Vision-Ease, Shamir and Specialty Lens.
www.Nassau247.com
Optical Prescription Lab
Founded
: 1977
HQ./Main Lab Location
: Pelham, Ala.
No. of Locations
: 1
No. of Employees:
25
Key Executives:
Danny Pugh, president; Sherry Pugh, vice president
Owners:
Danny Pugh, Sherry Pugh
Trade Names:
none
Key Markets:
Ala., Tenn., Miss., Ga., Fla.
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$5.3 million
Rx Sales:
$4.9 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
315
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
30%
Comments: Operates in-house Crizal processing center. Distributes Varilux, Hoya and Shamir lenses. Special services and programs Crizal Performance Package.
www.opticalprescriptionlab.com
Perfect Optics
Founded
: 2006
HQ./Main Lab Location
: San Diego, Calif.
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees:
58
Key Executives:
Matt Schmidt-Wetekam, Thomas Brophy, Sabine Rentschar, Adam Winkelman, VSP,
Carl Zeiss Vision
Owners:
Warren Meyer, Matt Schmidt-Wetekam, Thomas Brophy, Sabine Rentschar, Adam Winkelman, director of sales and marketing; Tom Brophy, director of operations
Trade Names:
Perfection FF Lens, Perfect Ion AR Coating
Key Markets:
Calif., free-form nationwide
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$10.5 million
Rx Sales:
$10.5 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day
: 450
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
30%
Comments: Specializes in free-form, digital surfacing. Proprietary products include Perfection FF lens, Perfect Ion AR coating. Offers Perfect Academy educational event.
www.perfectopticslab.com
Precision Optical Group
Founded
: 1992
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Creston, Iowa
No. of Locations:
3
No. of Employees:
90
Key Executives:
Deb Larson, Holly Ferber, Jan Ekeler, Judy Hodge, Lance Christensen, Nicki McDowell, Shannon Waigand, Mike Kellman
Owner:
Mike Tamerius, Matt Somers
Trade Names:
JMR Wholesale, K-Optical
Key Markets:
National, Canada
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$14.5 million
Rx Sales:
$11.6 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
1,300
Percentage of Uncut Jobs
: 60%
Comments: Full-service, no frills lab, offering low pricing and same day service. Distributes semi-finished blanks and lab supplies to other wholesalers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Offers Crizal, Crizal Alize, Teflon and in- house clear AR coatings. Offers low cost, house brand progressives. VSP, VBA and VCP authorized. Extensive frame and lens package programs. Custom safety programs offered through ECPs. Online orders accepted via VisionWeb, Eyefinity and Precision Direct, plus traditional phone/fax service.
www.precisionopticalgroup.com
Reliable Optics
Founded:
2007
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Brooklyn, N.Y.
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees:
50
Key Executives
: Howard S. Fried, OD; Edward Purman
Owner:
Howard S. Fried, OD; Edward Purman, Lenny Berenzon, Michael Shur
Trade Names:
none
Key Markets:
N.Y., N.J., Conn.
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$4.8 million
Rx Sales:
$4.6 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
650
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
60%
Comments: Proprietary products include Crystal Allure and Crystal AR coating, both produced in-house. Special services include high-end edging and drill mounting.
www.reliableoptics.com
Rite-Style Optical
Founded:
1948
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Omaha, Neb.
No. of Locations
: 1
No. of Employees:
105
Key Executives:
George Lee, CEO; Larry Lee, president
Owner:
Lee family
Trade Names:
RSO Advante AR, Rite Protect
Key Markets:
Midwest, Texas
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$19.1 million
Rx Sales:
$18.1 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
1,126
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
31%
Comments: Independent industry leader in freeform technology, featuring in-house production of all Shamir Autograph II products. Proprietary AR, Zeiss and KodakCleAR coatings produced in-house. Online ordering, lens tracing and job status tracking offered. Affiliations include Eyefinity/VSP, Vision Source, VisionWeb and Red Tray Optical. RSO Safety Rx Division covers corporate accounts nationally as well as safety programs for independent ECPs. RSO’s Jumpstart training CDs offer ABO-certified modules for in-office education and training. Global Optics member.
www.ritestyle.com
Robertson Optical Laboratories
Founded:
1958
H.Q./Main Lab Location:
Loganville, Ga.
No. of Locations
: 3
No. of Employees:
110
Key Executives:
Owners and Glenn Hollingsworth, director of lab operations
Owners:
Calvin W. Robertson, Jr., Richard L. Robertson, Gordon “Scotty” Q. Scott, Jr., Calvin “Chip” W. Robertson, III
Trade Names:
Robertson Optical Laboratories, Robertson Optical Laboratories of Columbia, Robertson Optical Laboratories of Greenville.
Key Markets
: Southeastern U.S.
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$16.1 million
Rx Sales:
$15.3 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
1,400
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
26%
Comments: Full service labs servicing southeast for over 50 years with new lens products and new technologies. Two on-site AR coating facilities providing AR1, Duralux, Teflon, Zeiss, and Kodak AR. Distributes Zeiss, Signet Armorlite, Shamir, Vision Ease, Younger, Hoya, Seiko, Essilor and other major lens brands. On-site free-form technology and digital grinding. Offers most freeform lenses. Approved VSP, VBA, VCP contract labs. Offers frame and lens packages, specializing in three-piece mounts and Chemistrie Custom Clips. Vera Bradley and Sydney Love frame distributors. Member VCA and OLA. Offers online ordering and job tracking.
www.robertsonoptical.com
Three Rivers Optical
Founded:
1969
H.Q./Main Lab Location:
Pittsburgh
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees
: 68
Key Executives:
Mary Ann Zappas, Joe Seibert, Steve Seibert
Owner:
Seibert Family
Trade names:
none
Key Markets
: Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast
2009 Est. Net Sales
: $21.2 million
Rx Sales:
$20.2 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
1,850
Percentage of Uncut Jobs
: 55%
Comments: Operates in-house AR coating facility; offers major lens brands including Varilux, Zeiss, Crizal, Kodak, Transitions. Manufactures Shamir Freeform progressive lenses. Produces proprietary TR O Seg bifocal polycarbonate in Transitions and TR O Blended Seg. Offers private label Discovery brand progressive lens. Primary frame brands include Zyloware and McGee Group.
www.3riversoptical.com
Toledo Optical
Founded:
1947
HQ./Main Lab Location
: Toledo, Ohio
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees:
55
Key Executives:
Irland Tashima, Jeffrey Szymanski, Robert Lommerse, Brian Green
Owners:
Kadowaki, Tashima and Green families
Trade Names:
Toledo Optical, Toledo Optical Lab
Key Markets:
Midwest
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$9.3 million
Rx Sales:
$8.7 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day
: 530
Percentage of Uncut Jobs
: 10%
Comments: Dedicated sales force. Offers extensive training and education programs such as Jumpstart. Exclusive practice building initiatives such as Strata multimedia training series. Offers exclusive in-house Acclaro anti-reflective lens process, Armor XT premium scratch coating, One Step Rx, individualized customer performance reports. Distributes Varilux, Shamir and Zeiss lenses. Williams Group certified sales consultants, Transitions Lab of the Year 2003 and 2006, Top Three Finalist for Transitions Lab of the Year 2002, 2004, 2005, VSP’s People First Lab Award Winner 2005, Transitions Heritage Ambassador Club Member 2008. Global Optics member.
www.toldeoooptical.com
US Optical
Founded:
2008
HQ./Main Lab Location
: East Syracuse, N.Y.
No. of Locations:
1
No. of Employees:
35
Key Executives:
Robert Cotran, president; Ronald Cotran, VP; Ralph Cotran, VP
Owners:
Robert Cotran, Ronald Cotran, Ralph Cotran
Trade Names:
none
Key Markets:
National
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$9.8 million
Rx Sales:
$9.8 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
710
Percentage of Uncut Jobs
: 60%
Comments: All surfacing is 100% digital. Proprietary products include free-form Seiko, Shamir and Indo lenses, and customized free-form Zeiss lenses and Zeiss AR coatings. Offers 24-hour service.
www.usoptical.com
VSP Optical Laboratories
Founded:
1972
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Sacramento, Calif.
No. of Locations:
4
No. of Employees:
330Key Executives:
Don Oakley, president; Warren Meyer, VP; Joe Maris, director, Sacramento; Dennis Benedict, director, Legends 4.0; Swen Carlson, director, Columbus; Edward Morris, director, national sales and marketing; Danny Singer, director, Ultra Optics
Owner:
Vision Service Plan
Trade Names:
VSP Lab Sacramento, VSP Lab Columbus, Legends 4.0, Ultra Lens, Reveal and Inspire progressive lenses
Key Markets:
National
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$72 million
Rx Sales:
$68.4 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
5,000
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
15%
Comments: Produces on-site AR, including Crizal, Teflon and proprietary Acuity Plus Platinum XP, Clearview Ultra and Ultra CleAR Luminous AR coatings. Special programs include VSP Lab Rewards program, Second Pair program. Operates on-site AR coating facilities producing Crizal and Teflon coatings. Distributes Varilux, Hoya, Transitions, Carl Zeiss Vision, Shamir, Seiko-Pentax, Signet Armorlite, Vision Ease and Younger products and proprietary Reveal and Inspire progressive lenses.
www.vsplab.com
Walman Optical Company
Founded:
1915
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.
No. of Locations:
32
No. of Employees:
840
Key Executives:
Marty Bassett president/CEO; Charles Pillsbury, executive VP; Doug Schlauderaff, executive VP; Craig Giles executive VP; John Anderson VP
Owner:
Employee-owned
Trade Names:
Walman Optical, Soderberg Optical, SEOCO Optical, Walman Soderberg Instruments, X-Cel Contacts, ImageWear, Ultra Optics, ADO Buying Group, Preferred Select Buying Group.
Key Markets:
National
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$224 million
Rx Sales
: $96 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
6,600
Percentage of Uncut Jobs:
20% Comments: Complete digital surfacing capabilities supported by on-site AR coating facilities providing Essilor Crizal, Teflon, Zeiss Carat and Ultra AR; offers Remo, Eyefinity and VisionWeb on-line ordering; Walman University educational seminars; industry’s largest independent sales force. Proprietary products include Stepper Eyewear, Sundance, Wiggles and Wildflower frames, Trusted Partners, ProLens premium lens packaging, Way Cool Frame Cool, Valuline, MyTee-Lite lenses, Soderberg MaximEyes, Passport to Earnings, Ultimate Rewards, Partners for Growth Seminars and Be Young Be U programs. 2007 and 2008 Transitions Lab of the Year.
www.walman.com,
www.soseyes.com
Winchester Optical
Founded:
1902
HQ./Main Lab Location:
Elmira, N.Y.
No. of Locations:
2
No. of Employees:
80
Key Executives:
Brian Lynch, president; Ben Lynch, VP; Mike Lynch, chairman of the board
Owner:
Lynch family
Trade Names:
LUXAR
Key Markets:
N.Y., Pa., N.J.
2009 Est. Net Sales:
$11.0 million
Rx Sales:
$10 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day:
735
Percentage of Uncut Jobs
: 23%
Comments: Proprietary products include GlareControl and GlareCutter lenses. Diversified lab with field sales-force; manufactures RGP CLs; distributes soft contact lenses. Distributes frames. Offers practice management and office design consultation; sponsors biannual educational seminar for customers.
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