SAN DIEGO--Carl Zeiss Vision (CZV), based here, is significantly expanding distribution of its Teflon Clear Coat lenses to include independent wholesale laboratories. The company has authorized four labs to produce the lenses in-house: Expert Optics of Shorewood, Ill.; Cherry Optical of Melvindale, Mich.; Three Rivers Optical of Pittsburgh, Pa. and Robertson Optical of Loganville, Ga. This follows the recent launch of Teflon Clear Coat lenses at CZV-owned Northeast Lens in Newton, Mass.

The management staff of Northeast Lens with cheerleaders and Pat Patriot, New England Patriots official mascot. Pictured l to r: (front row) Scott Benham, finish lab manager, Harvey Leavitt, OD, customer, Dan Boudreau, customer service manager, Kevin Cross, national sales manager (back row L-R) Ed Labarre, AR coating manager, Chip Richards, customer service rep, John Shanly, lab manager and John Flaherty, president.

Since late August, CZV, in conjunction with these labs, has hosted launch celebrations at Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass., Adler Planetarium, Chicago, Ill., Roostertail Entertainment Complex, Detroit, Mich., Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh, Pa. and the Academy of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga. At each event, the audience was treated to dinner, refreshments, entertainment, and a presentation by Bernadette Hiskey, CZV’s Teflon brand director, about marketing plans for Teflon Clear Coat lenses.

“Both the reception and the class were the nicest we’ve been to,” said Kathleen Bryner, an optician with the West Newton, Pa. practice of Paul Ives, OD, who attended the Pittsburgh event. “As far as the Teflon product itself, we’ve been selling it for a few weeks, and almost every patient has gotten it. The doctor recommends the lens, and that always helps. Plus, the brand name helps a lot.”

Pat Phanawong, an optician at Wyandotte Optical, winning a prize at the Detroit Teflon launch event.

CZV is supporting the launches with local consumer advertising, including television and print, depending upon the market.

Executives at the four independent labs were enthusiastic about both the Teflon product and its roll-out by CZV.

Steve Seibert, presidentand CEO of Three Rivers Optical, addresses audience at the Teflon launch event in Pittsburgh.

 “Developing the capability toprocess Teflon Clear Coat Lenses in house is part of Expert’s continued effort to bring great quality products to our customers,” said Greg Ruden, president, Expert Optics. “We can now offer eyecare professionals these outstanding lenses with very quick turnaround and high standards of quality and service. Because this product has such a strong message and the ultimate consumer brand recognition, Expert’s customers will have an exceptional opportunity to grow their AR business and become more successful.”

Steve Seibert, chief executive officer of Three Rivers Optical in Pittsburgh, remarked, “Teflon Clear Coat lets our customers capitalize on the product’s very high brand recognition, plus the largest direct-to-consumer advertising campaign we’ve ever seen for a lens product in Western Pennsylvania. That combinationcreates a big growth opportunity.”

Commenting on the expansion of Teflon Clear Coat lenses production to independent labs, Randy Dannewitz, CZV’s senior director, partner lab sales, said, “We are proud to partner with four independent labs that deliver exceptional quality and service to their customers. By working with these labs, we are able to extend the Teflon Clear Coat lenses growth opportunity to eyecare professionals in more U.S. markets.”

Audience members at the Chicago Teflon launch event listen to executives from Expert Optics explain the lab’s new Teflon coating capabilities.

“Two things are required for AR growth,” Hiskey added. “One is an AR product that delivers superior performance in all areas - clarity, scratch protection and cleaning. The other is a consumer message that is impactful and relevant. Teflon Clear Coat lenses deliver both, which is why they have helped ECPs grow their AR business in every market where they are distributed.”

The four independent wholesale labs join CZV-owned labs Laser Optics in Tempe, Ariz., Great Lakes Coating Lab in Troy, Mich and SOLA Technologies in Hebron, Ky. as on-site producers of Teflon Clear Coat lenses.