Balester
Optical
Founded: 1934
HQ./Main Lab Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 98
Key Executives: Heather Balester, Dale Parmenteri, Matthew 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; Arcane Optical
Key Markets: Northeast
2005 Est. Net Sales: $11.2 million
Rx Sales: $10.6 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 803
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 50%
Comments: Lens products distributed include Varilux, Crizal Alize, Zeiss, RF Endura EZ, Transitions, Hoya, Shamir, SunSensors, SOLAOne, SolaMax AO Easy, Instashades, Platinum, Tegra, Seiko, AO Compact, Ovation, Kodak Concise/Precise, Channel 14. Frame lines distributed include Sperry Top-Sider, Sophia Loren, Christie Brinkley, LA Gear, Sharper Image, Bulova, BUM, Stetson, Just-Match-It, Nickelodeon (Sponge Bob, Dora the Explorer, Rugrats, etc.). Distributes i-Cam, Smart Mirror. Offers Balester Dispenser Awards (Transitions), value and drilled rimless package, Balester Direct Rx program, Balester Back to School program, Superstar frame board management program, $2,000 Minute ABO-certified education series; Life Style Choices Plan, online ordering (VisionWeb, Eyefinity, E.-Dr.com, remote tracing, 24-hour on-line order status. VSP and VBA contract lab. Other programs include Vision Source, Life Style Choices Plan, Practice Plus.
Web site: www.balester.com
Beitler McKee Optical
Founded: 1922
Hq./Main Lab Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 75
Key Executives: Richard Hughes, president and CEO; Daniel Driscoll, chairman; Peter Pugliese, GM
Owners: Driscoll family
Trade Names: none
Key Markets: Ohio, Pa., W.Va.
2005 Est. Net Sales: $14 million
Rx Sales: $9.1 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 600
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 30%
Comments: Dedicated sales force. Distributes and services ophthalmic instruments; operates RGP contact lens lab; markets own Panoramic D RGP multifocal; sells soft contact lenses; distributes frames. Presents ABO-certified, in-office seminars. Produces PermaVue and PermaVue XT AR coating in-house. Offers Champions Club savings program.
Web site: www.beitlermckee.com
CSC Laboratories
Founded: 1967
HQ./Main Lab Location: Watsonville, Calif.
No. of Locations: 3
No. of Employees: 155
Key Executives: Dong K. Kim, group president/CEO; William Inman, senior VP/COO; Bu Kim, senior VP, manufacturing; Paul Yoon, VP, operations; Greg Kohmescher, CFO; Robert C. Kim, legal counsel; Mike Kim, GM, Microcoating Laboratory; Dean Elliott, GM, Ocular Laboratories; Josefa Tejera, GM, Guadalajara, Mexico
Owner: Dong Kook Kim
Trade Names: CSC Laboratories, (Watsonville, Calif.); Microcoating Laboratory (Watsonville, Calif.); Ocular Laboratories (San Jose, Calif.); T. Continental de Optica S. de R.L. de C.V. (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Key Markets: U.S. (excluding Ariz. and Colo.), Central and South America, western Mexico, Caribbean, South Pacific
2005 Est. Net Sales: $21.0 million
Rx Sales: $17.8 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,450
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 15%
Comments: Offers complete range of stock lenses, including polycarbonate lenses under the trademarks Conti-Lite, Conti-Guard, Emerald AR, Millenia AR. 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. 50% of frame line manufactured in Europe under special arrangement; 50% manufactured in Asia. Service programs include Space Invaders frame/lens program; on-site high vacuum machinery from Satis to produce Essilor authorized Crizal and Crizal Alize AR coatings, plus Endura and Millenia AR coatings. Full-service Web-based on-line ordering and job tracking system. Authorized VSP contract lab.
Web site: www.csclabs.com
Carl Zeiss Vision Laboratories
Founded: 2000
HQ.: San Diego, Calif.
No. of Locations: 12
No. of Employees: 650
Key Executives: Barry Packham, President, Darrell Zoromski, Claude Labeeuw, Dave Delle Donne, David Jochims, Michael Browning, Jeff Grumbling
Owner: Carl Zeiss Vision
Trade Names: B&W Optical, Great Lakes Coating Laboratory, Kansas City Ophthalmic, Laser Optics, Siouxland Ophthalmic Labs, Southeastern Optical, SOLA Custom Coatings, SOLA Technologies
Key Markets: Nationwide
2005 Est. Net Sales: $85.0 million
Rx Sales: $80.8 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 6,500
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 15%
Comments: Network of full-service laboratories. Proprietary products include Teflon Clearcoat, Zeiss, Sola, AO. VSP contract lab.
Web site: carlzeissvision.com
Classic Optical
Founded: 1970
Hq./Main Lab Location: Youngstown, Ohio
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 75
Key Executives: Monte Friedkin, president; Dawn Friedkin, GM; Rodney Remsey, lab manager; Bob Sherman, dir. of sales and contracting
Owner: Friedkin family
Trade Names: None
Key Markets: National
2005 Est. Net Sales: $12.6 million
Rx Sales: $12.5 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,720
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 20%
Comments: Full-service lab specializing in Federal and state volume-purchase plans, HMO and managed care programs, complete safety eyewear on-site and network programs. Offers frame and lens packages from $25 including new Bendables; large inventory of frames for any custom programs; overnight service on most uncut orders; secure on-line Rx, stock and accessory ordering. Offers custom clip-on sunglasses, Gripples cleaning cloths, real-time order tracking via Internet; VSP contract lab.
Web Site: www.classicoptical.com
Diversified Ophthalmics Laboratory Group
Founded: 1977
HQ/ Main lab location: Cincinnati, Ohio
No. of Locations: 8
No. of Employees: 95
Key Executives: Ronald Cooke, president/CEO; Harry Fagedes, chairman of the board; Ronald Cooke, Jr., COO
Owner: Closely held corporation
Trade names: PureSite, Salt Lake Optical, TriOptics
Key Markets: Idaho, Ind., Ky., Mich., Mont., N.C., Ohio, Pa., S.C., Tenn., Utah, Wash., Wis., W.Va.
2005 Est. Net sales: $14.7 million
Rx Sales: $11.9 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,050
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 27%
Comments: Full service labs with ophthalmic lens and RGP manufacturing capabilities. Transitions Platinum Elite Laboratory. Authorized Varilux distributor. VSP contract lab. Signet Armorlite partner lab. Operates on-site AR coating facility. AR branded products include PureSite Preference. Specializes in premium lenses. Offers eyeglass and contact lens packages, frame-and-lens value packages, certified continuing education seminars and staff training. Markets PureSite brand of stock lenses. On-line and electronic ordering. Remote frame tracing. Members of the OLA and AR Council.
Web site: www.divopt.com
Empire Optical of California
Founded: 1970
Hq./Main Lab Location: N. Hollywood, Calif.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 150
Key Executives: Noel Diaz, president; Keith Grossman, vice president; Ken Beck, customer service manager
Owner: Noel Diaz, Keith Grossman, Neil Grossman
Trade Names: Empire
Key Markets: southwestern U.S.
2005 Est. Net Sales: $21.0 million
Rx Sales: $21.0 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,500
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 12%
Comments: Major West Coast wholesaler; VSP contract lab; Zeiss partner lab, offers Zeiss in-house AR coating, authorized Teflon lab. Varilux distributor. Signet Armorlite partner lab.
Web site: www.empireoptical.org
Essilor Laboratories of America (ELOA)
Founded: 1996
HQ./Main Lab Location: Dallas, Texas
No. of Locations: 89
No. of Employees: 4,500
Key Executives: John Carrier, president; Real Goulet, senior VP national and Northeast; Mike Nathe, region VP Southeast and Mid-Atlantic; Shane Gillies, region VP Ohio-Great Lakes; Ron Schlotzhauer, region VP South Central; Bill Spies-region VP North Central; Mark Becker, region VP Southwest; Ray Knoll, region VP Northwest; Dave Bowen, VP operations and technologies; Rick Long-VP partner labs; Padma Cole-VP services; Keith Norris-VP sales; Steve Nussbaumer, director market management; Ted Gioia-VP business development/GM safety
Owner: Essilor International
Trade Names: Avisia, Bartley Optical, Bell Optical, Bristow Optical, Crown Optical, Custom Eyes, Dash Lab, DBL Labs, Duffens Optical, Dunlaw Optical, East Coast Ophthalmic, Elite Optical, Heard Optical, Jorgenson Optical, Kosh Ophthalmic, Meridian Optical (Phoenix), Meridian Optical (San Diego), Midland Optical, Milroy Optical, Omega Optical, Omni Optical Lab, Opal-Lite, Optical One (Milpitas), Optical One (Youngstown), Optical Suppliers Inc., Optical Supply, Opti-Craft, Optogenics of Syracuse, Precision Optics, Select Optical, Southern Optical, Spectrum Optical, Top Network, Tri-Supreme, Vista Laboratories, Vision Craft, Inc., WOS Optical, 21st Century Optics
Key Markets: National
2005 Est. Net Sales: $550.0 million
Rx Sales: $517.0 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 40,700
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 32%
Comments: Natiowide network of full-service labs. Sales and marketing initiatives focus on Varilux lenses, Crizal and Crizal Alize AR coated lenses. Proprietary products include Nikon Performance Package, TD2, LiteStyle/Ultra LiteStyle lenses. Services and programs: Stimuleye education series; Trace and Transmit, Varilux DRx.
Web site: www.eloa.com
Expert Optics
Founded: 1979
HQ/ Main lab location: Shorewood, Ill.
No. of Locations: 2
No. of Employees: 89
Key Executives: Greg Ruden; president; Don Ruden, CEO; Bob Pommier, director of lab operations; Mark Behringer, director of sales
Owner: Don Ruden, Greg Ruden
Trade names: none
Key Markets: Ill., Ind., Mich., Wis.
2005 Est. Net sales: $14.9 million
Rx Sales: $14.2 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 845
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 20%
Comments: Distributes Varilux, Kodak, Shamir and Zeiss progressives, Indo Superfin lenses. Signet Armorlite partner lab and Carl Zeiss Vision Premier lab. Teflon Clear Coat AR coating facility in-house; also poduces Zeiss Foundation XT, Carat and Carat Advantage coatings. Hosts annual Optical Preview Day. Experienced sales force offers in-office product seminars. Offers Jumpstart Your Office training program and Your Eyes lifestyle dispensing tools.
Eye Kraft Optical
Founded: 1954
Hq./Main Lab Location: St. Cloud, Minn.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 65
Key Executives: James T. Negaard, president, CEO; Lawrence L. Lahr, VP
Owner: James T. Negaard
Trade Names: Eyelight, Eyelight Poly, Sun-Lite
Key Markets: National
2005 Est. Net Sales: $6.7 million
Rx Sales: $5.7 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 655
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 11
Comments: Broad selection of lenses and frame packages. Offers same-day/next day service at no extra charge. Offers free educational materials. VSP-approved.
Web site: www.eyekraft.com
Hirsch Optical
Founded: 1978
HQ./Main Lab Location: Farmingdale, N.Y.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 61
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: Privately held by key executives
Trade Names: CHAD
Key Markets: N.Y., N.J., Conn.
2005 Est. Net Sales: $12.0 million
Rx Sales: $10.8 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 825
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 48%
Comments: Extensive offerings of lens and frame package programs. Offers proprietary CHAD and RF Endura EZ AR coatings applied in-house. Same-day turnaround on most orders. EX Rx on-line ordering and remote tracing. Accredited educational seminars and CDs. Award-winning Varilux distributor, Zeiss Partner Lab, Shamir ReCreating Perfect Vision Partner Lab, Transitions Platinum Elite Lab, distributor of Hoya and Indo lenses. Authorized VSP and VBA contract lab. Crizal, Crizal Alize, Zeiss, glass and mirror coatings. Ophthalmic frame lines include Donald J. Trump, Christie Brinkley, J.G. Hook, New Balance, Jill Stuart, Elizabeth Arden, Perry Ellis, Pierre Cardin, Bill Blass, Riders by Lee, Wrangler, Van Heusen, Mount Eyewear, Your Eyes, New Balance Kids, Scooby-Doo!, The Flintstones and the full line of Nickelodeon children’s frames. Distributes Duet Glamour Glasses, Pocket Peepers, Titmus safety frames, custom clip-ons, BPI products, tools, bulbs and other consumables.
Web site: www.hirschoptical.com
Homer Optical
Founded: 1940
HQ/ Main Lab of Operations: Silver Spring, Md.
No. of Locations: 4
No. of Employees: 86
Key Executives: Candice Levri, president; Robert Dunn, chairman; William White, VP, operations; Linda Taylor, controller; Donald Barton, sales manager; Peggy Conway, dir. of marketing
Owners: Robert Dunn, Candice Levri
Trade Names: Vantage AR coating
Key Markets: Mid-Atlantic states
2005 Est. Net Sales: $14.5 million
Rx Sales: $13.6 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,000
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 50%
Comments: Process six AR coatings in-house including Vantage, Endura by Vantage, Endura Tri-Tek. Crizal Alize guaranteed turnaround program. Varilux distributor. Offers remote ordering.
Web site: www.homeroptical.com
Hoya Vision Care
Founded: 2000
HQ./Main Lab Location: Lewisville, Texas
Locations: 17
Employees: 1,200
Key Executives: Barney Dougher, president and COO; Steve Koufos, vp marketing; Rich Montag, vp sales; Bill Harris, vp operations; Tom Loveless, vp finance; Kraig Black, vp information technology.
Owner: Hoya Corporation
Trade Names: Hoya Atlanta, Hoya Bethel, Hoya Chicago, Hoya Cleveland, Hoya Dallas, Hoya Dayton, Hoya Eugene, Hoya Fresno, Hoya Hartford, Hoya Largo, Hoya Los Angeles, Hoya Modesto, Hoya Portland, Hoya San Diego, Hoya Seattle, Hoya St. Louis.
Key Markets: National
2005 Est. Net Sales: $158 million
Rx Sales: $138.0 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 11,500
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 21%
Comments: Nationwide network of full-service labs offering a full line of Hoya lens designs, materials and AR treatments. Proprietary lens designs: Hoyalux iD, Hoyalux Summit ECP, Hoyalux Summit CD, Hoyalux GP Wide, Hoyalux Tact. Proprietary lens materials: Hoya Phoenix, Hoya Eyas 1.6, Hoya EYNOA 1.67, Hoya EYRY 1.7. Proprietary AR coatings: Hoya Super HiVision, Hoya HiVision with View Protect. Proprietary Scratch Coating: Hoya Clarity Shield 2.
Web site: www.hoyavision.com
ICare Labs
Founded: 1968
HQ./Main Lab Location: St. Petersburg, Fla.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 150
Key Executives: Scott Payne, chairman; Skip Payne, president
Owner: Employee-owned; division of ICare Industries
Trade Names: ICare Labs (formerly Dynoptic, Lensworld, Florida State Optical, D.N.E.), West Express, Sea Vision
Key Markets: East Coast, Southwest
2005 Est. Net Sales: $19.8 million
Rx Sales: $19.4 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,900
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 60%
Comments: Special products include Featherlite polycarbonate lenses. Offers customized pricing for small chains and high-volume practices. Manufactures prescription dive masks, swim and ski goggles.
Web site: www.icarelabs.com
Interstate Optical
Founded: 1977
HQ./Main Lab Location: Mansfield, Ohio
No. of Locations: 2
No. of Employees: 180
Key Executives: John Art, president; Rob Art, vp; Debbie Art, sec./treas.
Owner: The Art family
Trade Names: ARx anti-reflective coating; Diamondback anti-scratch coating
Key Markets: Ind., Ky., N.C., Ohio, S.C., Tenn., W.Va.
2005 Est. Net Sales: $24.6 million
Rx Sales: $21.4 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,500
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 9%
Comments: Produces proprietary ARx coating on-site. Offers Vision remote electronic ordering and frame tracing. Authorized distributor for Varilux, Zeiss, Rodenstock, Shamir, and SOLA lenses; REM, Rodenstock, R.O.I. and Zyloware frames; Smart Mirror. Offers ABO-accredited staff education and classes; frame displays and dispensary design services; Preferred Customer Program. Received COLTS Lab gold level quality certification
Web site: www.interstateoptical.com
Luzerne Optical Laboratories
Founded: 1973
HQ./Main Lab Location: Wilkes-Barre, Penn.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 195
Key Executives: Jack Dougherty, president; Lorraine Dougherty, VP; Neil Dougherty, GM; John Dougherty, VP purchasing
Owner: Dougherty family
Trade Names: Alize, Crizal, TD2, Advantage, Carat and Foundation XT
Key Markets: Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, New England
2005 Est. Net Sales: $27.0 million
Rx Sales: $26.2 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,775
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 56%
Comments: Leading regional lab; offers wide range of exclusive promotions, customer incentive and educational programs. Has field consultant force offering practice development, business reviews and private consultations. Specializes in processing Varilux, Zeiss, Definity, Indo, premium lenses and difficult Rx's. Offers frames, sunglasses, safety eyewear, soft contacts, low vision, pharmaceuticals and Prio computer eyewear. Operates two in-house AR facilities producing Crizal, Alize, TD2, Zeiss ET, Advantage, Carat and Foundation XT and Mirror coatings. In-house gas perm contact lens facility produces custom DuraCurve aspheric GPs. VSP- & VBA-approved lab.
Web site: www.luzerneoptical.com
MJ Optical
Founded: 1988
HQ./Main Lab Location: Omaha, Neb.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 100
Key Executives: Martin Hagge, Morrie Hagge
Owner: Mary Hagge
Trade Names: None
Key Markets: National
2005 Est. Net Sales: $16.5 million
Rx Sales: $12.0 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,780
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 40%
Comments: Proprietary products include Nyteyez premium AR and Miraje standard AR, both produced in-house. Distributes contact lenses. Offers MJFP frame package.
Web site: www.mjoptical.com
Nassau Vision Group Laboratories
Founded: 1996
Hq./Main Lab Location: Orangeburg, N.Y.
No. of Locations: 3
No. of Employees: 190
Key Executives: Michael Pildes, president; Irwin Kaufman, VP/CFO;
Brian K. Ziegler, VP; Robert Scherer, lab manager; Steve Landrith, lab manager; Doreen Hartmann, dir. of lab integration & marketing
Owner: Essilor of America
Trade Names: Nova Optical Lab, Nassau Lens Florida, Eagle Optical
Key Markets: National
2005 Est. Net Sales: $25.0 million
Rx Sales: $25.0 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 2,500
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 15%
Comments: Proprietary products include Triumph & Synergy AR coating, Nalco progressive lenses. Has in-house Crizal EXT facility producing Crizal, Crizal Alize, Triumph and TD2 coatings. Offers Edge and Insert program.
Web site: www.nassauvisiongroup.com
Pech Optical
Founded: 1989
HQ/ Main Lab of Operations: Sioux City, Iowa
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 251
Key Executives: Robert Pech, Doug Pech, Paul Massey, Gerald Koolstra, LuAnn Mosier, Mike Estes, Karen Lindberg
Owner: Pech family
Trade Names: “EZC,” Zeiss AR coating, Tiger Back, Tiger Tuff hard coatings.
Key Markets: Midwest, Southwest, and Mountain States
2005 Est. Net Sales: $28.9 million
Rx Sales: $27.5 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,985
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 36%
Comments: Full-service lab; accepts orders through Rx Wizard, a 24-hour on-line ordering service. Authorized Varilux and Zeiss distributor. Two in-house AR facilities produce TD2, Crizal, Crizal Alize, Kodak Clear, Zeiss Foundation, Carat and Atvantage coatings, plus house brands Tiger Back, EZ-C and Tuff AR. Uses freeform technology to produce Shamir Autograph progressive lens. Offers frame package programs including new Lusso designer line. Offers Direct-Rx frame inventory control program. Offers ABO-accredited seminars, staff training and office design. Offers services of in-house marketing department. Approved lab for VSP, VCP and VBA.
Web site: www.pechoptical.com
Precision Optical Group
Founded: 1992
HQ./Main Lab Location: Creston, Iowa
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 55
Key Executives: Mike Tamerius, Matt Somers
Owner: Mike Tamerius, Matt Somers
Trade Names: None
Key Markets: National
2005 Est. Net Sales: $9.8 million
Rx Sales: $7.3 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 750
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 55%
Comments: Extensive lens inventory. Distributor of semi-finished and stock lenses. Offers Crizal, Crizal Alize and Teflon AR coatings. Have ABO continuing education on-line along with on-line ordering, remote tracing and on-line order status/job tracking. Offers frame and lens packages, specializing in three-piece mountings. Safety eyewear programs and Federal and state volume-purchase contracts. Overnight service on most uncut lens orders. VSP and VBA contract lab.
Web site: www.precisionopticalgroup.com
Rite-Style Optical (RSO)
Founded: 1948
HQ./Main Lab Location: Omaha, Neb.
No. of Locations: 2
No. of Employees: 115
Key Executives: George Lee, CEO; Larry Lee, president
Owner: Lee family
Trade Names: Zeiss Carat Advantage, Zeiss Foundation XT, TD2, LenStock.com
Key Markets: Midwest, Rocky Mountain states, Southeast, North Central
2005 Est. Net Sales: $18.0 million
Rx Sales: $16.6 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,000
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 30%
Comments: Full-service lab providing diverse spectrum of lenses. Proprietary products include AR Advantage, Rite-Protect, premium drill mount packages and lab trays. Produces in-house Zeiss coatings. Offers electronic ordering, frame tracing and job tracking. Network lab with Eyefinity/VSP; member of Vision Source. Safety division services both individual orders and large corporate accounts. Offers resources for building, expanding and improving business and training staff.
Web site: www.ritestyle.com
Robertson Optical Laboratories
Founded: 1957
HQ/ Main Lab of Operations: Loganville, Ga.
No. of Locations: 4
No. of Employees: 120
Key Executives: Owners (see below) and Glenn Hollingsworth, dir. of lab operations
Owners: Calvin W. Robertson, Jr., Richard L. Robertson, Grady T.
Bentley, Larry Bentley, Gordon Q. Scott, Sr, Gordon Q. Scott, Jr., Jackie Howard, Calvin "Chip" W. Robertson, III
Trade Names: Robertson Optical Laboratories, Robertson Optical Laboratories of Albany, Robertson Optical Laboratories of Columbia, Robertson Optical Laboratories of Greenville.
Key Markets: Southeastern states
2005 Est. Net Sales: $16.2 million
Rx Sales: $15.4 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,480
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 40%
Comments: Full service labs promoting new lens products with new technologies. Produces AR1, Duralux, TEFLON, ZEISS, and KODAK CLEAR AR coatings in- house. Offers Carl Zeiss Vision, Signet Armorlite, Shamir, Definity, Vision Ease, Younger and other major lens brands. Approved VSP, VBA, VCP contract labs. Offers frame and lens packages, specializing in three-piece mounts. Member AR Council and OLA. Offers online ordering and job tracking.
Web site: www.robertsonoptical.com
Southwest Lens
Founded: 1984
Hq./Main Lab Location: Dallas
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 50
Key Executives: Robert Dahl, Tom Mitchell
Owner: Robert Dahl, Tom Mitchell
Trade Names: none
Key Markets: Texas, La., Okla., N.M.
2005 Est. Net Sales: $5.5 million
Rx Sales: $5.4 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 450
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 30
Comments: Broad selection of lenses including Varilux. Signet-Armorlite partner lab. Offers Zeiss Carat Advantage AR coating. VSP and VBA approved. Member of Optical Services International.
Web site: www.southwestlens.com
Sunstar Optical Labs
Founded: 1978
Hq./Main Lab Location: Las Vegas, Nev.
No. of Locations: 3
No. of Employees: 40
Key Executives: Jennifer Steffey, Pam Kelley, Linda Atwood
Owner: Ronald Steffey
Trade Names: None
Key Markets: Nevada, northern Calif., Salt Lake City
2005 Est. Net Sales: $7.5 million
Rx Sales: $7.4 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 650
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 20%
Comments: Broad selection of lenses including Varilux, Zeiss, Shamir, SOLA, Kodak. VSP and VBA approved.
Sutherlin Optical
Founded: 1939
HQ/Main lab location: Kansas City, Mo.
No. of Locations: 2
No. of Employees: 70
Key Executives: Steve Sutherlin, Mike Sutherlin, John Sutherlin, Mike Vitale, Scott Kitzerow, Kim Scheidler
Owners: Steve Sutherlin, Mike Sutherlin and John Sutherlin
Trade names: Clarion XS, XTC
Key Markets: Kan., Mo.
2005 Est. Net Sales: $12.2 million
Rx Sales: $11.0 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 675
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 18%
Comments: Proprietary products include Clarion XS AR coating, STC hard coating. Special program and services include Sutherlin University, Super Value Rx program, Totally Rimless program, Kids Package. Member of Lightbenders.
Web site: www.sutherlinoptical.com
Three Rivers Optical
Founded: 1969
HQ/ Main lab location: Pittsburgh
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 75
Key Executives: Mary Ann Zappas, Joe Seibert, Steve Seibert
Owner: Seibert Family
Trade names: none
Key Markets: Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest
2005 Est. Net Sales: $16.5 million
Rx Sales: $15.7 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,500
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 55%
Comments: Operates in-house AR coating facility; offers major lens brands including Varilux, SOLA, Zeiss, Crizal, Kodak, Transitions. Produces proprietary TR O Seg bifocal, featuring a round segment in polycarbonate Transitions. Offers private label Discovery brand progressive lens. Primary frames brands include Zyloware and McGee Group.
Web site: www.3riversoptical.com
Toledo Optical
Founded: 1947
Hq./Main Lab Location: Toledo, Ohio
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 54
Key Executives: Irland Tashima, Kenneth Green, Jeffrey Szymanski, Robert Lommerse, Brian Green
Owners: Kadowaki, Tashima and Green families
Trade Names: Toledo Optical Lab
Key Markets: Ohio, Mich.
2005 Est. Net Sales: $7.3 million
Rx Sales: $6.3 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 475
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 17%
Comments: Dedicated sales force; offers extensive training and education programs, exclusive practice-building initiatives, exclusive in-house ACCLARO AR lens process. Distributes Varilux, Shamir, Signet-Armorlite and Zeiss Lenses. Transitions Lab of the Year 2003, Top three finalist for Transitions Lab of the Year 2002, 2003, 2004 and VSP’s People First Lab Award Winner 2005.
Web site: www.toldeoooptical.com
VSP Optical Laboratories
Founded: 1972
Hq./Main Lab Location: Sacramento, Calif.
No. of Locations: 2
No. of Employees: 265
Key Executives: Bill Conner, president; Jack Banville, managing director, Sacramento (Calif.) Dave Heglund, managing director, Columbus (Ohio); Edward Morris, dir. of sales and marketing
Owner: Vision Service Plan
Trade Names: VSP Lab Sacramento, VSP Lab Columbus
Key Markets: National
2005 Est. Net Sales: $40.0 million
Rx Sales: $39.2 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 2,700
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 5%
Comments: Proprietary products include Acuity Plus AR coatings, Stock Lens Express. Special services and programs include on-site AR, stock lens, service guarantee. Distributes lenses including Varilux, Hoya, Definity, Carl Zeiss Vision, Shamir, Pentax, Signet Armorlite, Vision-Ease, KBCo.
Web site: www.vsplab.com
Walman Optical Company
Founded: 1915
HQ./Main Lab Location: Minneapolis/ St. Paul, Minn.
No. of Locations: 33
No. of Employees: 850
Key Executives: Marty Bassett President/CEO, Charles Pillsbury Executive VP, Doug Schlauderaff Executive VP, Craig Giles Executive VP, John Anderson VP, Bob Gustin VP.
Owner: Employee-owned
Trade Names: Walman Optical, Soderberg Optical, Walman Instruments, X-Cel Contacts, ImageWear, Ultra Optics, ADO Buying Group, Preferred Select Buying Group, Vuarnet Sunglasses
Key Markets: National
2005 Est. Net Sales: $192 million
Rx Sales: $86.4 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 6,061
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 22%
Comments: Two on-site A-R coating facilities provide both Essilor Crizal and Zeiss Carat AR; offers REMO on-line ordering; Walman University educational seminars; practice-building marketing support. Proprietary products include Stepper Eyewear, 360 Complete Packaging, Way Cool Frame Cool, Valueline, MyTee-Lite lenses, Scratch-guard. Offers “Teens & B’Tweens” program, Preferred Select Buying Group.
Web site: www.walman.com
Winchester Optical
Founded: 1902
Hq./Main Lab Location: Elmira, N.Y.
No. of Locations: 3
No. of Employees: 95
Key Executives: Ben Lynch, president; Brian Lynch, vp, gen. mgr.; Mike Lynch, vp, mgr.
Owner: Lynch family
Trade Names: LUXAR
Key Markets: N.Y., Pa., N.J.
2005 Est. Net Sales: $9.8 million
Rx Sales: $8.2 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 700
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 21%
Comments: Proprietary products include GlareControl and GlareCutter lenses. Diversified lab with field sales-force; strong in instrument distribution; manufacturer of RGP contact lenses; distributor of soft contact lenses; frame distributor; offers practice management and office design consultation; sponsors biannual educational seminar for customers.
Web site: www.winchesteroptical.net
