Gerard Santinelli, left, with Joe Santinelli.
HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.--Santinelli International is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Founded in 1973 by Joseph Santinelli, the company has grown from a one-man operation based in Santinelli’s home office to become a leading supplier of lens finishing technology, with 75 employees headquartered in central Long Island. For the past 17 years, it has been the sole U.S. distributor of the Nidek line of finishing equipment.

In 1998, Joseph Santinelli, who is chairman of the board, appointed his son Gerard to lead the company. Under Gerard’s leadership, the company’s “single retail lens edger” product line has grown and expanded to what is now the widest range of both retail and wholesale lab lens edging equipment available.

“We never forget for a minute that our success is due to our many loyal clients in the retail sector and industrial labs,” said Gerard Santinelli, president and CEO. “We also believe our passion for this industry played a big part in helping us to get where we are today.” ■