Balester Optical’s Dale Parmenteri.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.—In a move that will expand its footprint in the Eastern United States, Essilor has acquired Balester Optical, a major independent wholesale laboratory based here. The purchase price was not disclosed.

An Essilor spokesperson told VMail that Essilor has purchased all of Balester Optical’s stock. The lab has been controlled by the Balester family since it was founded in 1934. Balester Optical’s management team, including Heather Balester and Dale Parmenteri, will continue to manage the lab’s day-to-day operations.

“Balester Optical has a strong management team and technology base, which is why we chose to partner with them,” the Essilor spokesperson noted.

Parmenteri, who serves as vice president of Balester Optical, commented, “We’re combining our tradition of quality and service with Essilor’s vast resources to better service our customer base.”

Balester Optical was ranked 12th in Vision Monday’s 2012 Top Labs Report. The lab, which has 75 employees and produces about 830 Rx jobs per day, will generate Rx sales of about $13.3 million in 2012, according to the report.