Essilor Closes Duffens Optical Lab in Salina, Kansas
February 1, 2010 12:18 AM
SALINA, Kan.—Essilor has closed the Salina, Kansas branch of Duffens Optical. The lab, which employed seven workers, closed its doors on Jan. 29.
Employees were offered job opportunities at other Essilor locations or were provided severance payments as part of the closing, according to Essilor.
Essilor continues to operate several other Duffens Optical locations throughout the Midwest. Work from the Salina Laboratory will be processed at other Essilor Laboratories including Duffens Wichita, Duffens Topeka and Duffens Lenexa, the company said.
The lab traces its origins to 1919 when J.T. “Jack” Quinton and R.F. Duffens purchased Morgan Optical in Salina and renamed it Quinton-Duffens Optical Co. It was acquired by Essilor in 1996.