BUSINESS: Labs Vision Monday’s TOP LABS – 2012 (in alphabetical order) By Staff Wednesday, September 26, 2012 12:06 AM RELATED CONTENT Top Labs 2012: How the Big Wholesale Labs Measure Up in 2012 Top Labs Performance Analysis Top Labs Then (1992) and Now (2012) The Top 25 Independent Labs in 2012 at a Glance Top Labs in the News Top 25 Independent Wholesale Labs Ranking Top Labs Methodology Top 5 Supplier-Owned Lab Networks Ranking Balester Optical Founded: 1934 HQ./Main Lab Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pa. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 75 Key Executives: Heather Balester, Dale Parmenteri, Fred P. Balester Owners: Heather Balester, Dale Parmenteri, Susan Balester Dennis, Fred P. Balester, Patrick Balester, Jacqueline Pekar, Valerie Balester, William Balester, Dorothy Holdle, Estate of Jonathan Balester, Marc Balester, Mark Pekar Trade Names: Balester Optical Co. Key Markets: Eastern U.S. 2012 Est. Net Sales: $13.9 million Rx Sales: $13.3 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 831 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 54% Comments: In-house AR Brands: Crizal, Crizal Alize, Crizal Avance, Optifog, Zeiss Super ET Plus, Carat Advantage and Essilor’s House Ez. In-house Digital Brands: Varilux Physio Enhanced Fit/Eyecode/Azia/India, Comfort Enhanced, Definity 2, Balester Advanced, Balester Ultimate, Balester Office, Shamir Autograph II and others. Lenses Brands: Varilux, Definity, Transitions, Kodak, Sunsensors, Hoya, Shamir, Zeiss, Seiko, Pentax, NuPolar, Coppertone, Trilogy, Life Rx, Pixel Optics and others. Frame Brands: Stetson, Sophia Loren, Randy Jackson, Via Spiga, Bulova, BUM, Just-Match-It, Bratz, Nickelodeon and others. Other Products: Smart Mirror, Smart Centration, i-Terminal and VisiOffice. Balester Direct Rx Program, ABO/NYSSO Certified Education, VSP, VBA, Vision Source, VisionWeb and more. www.balester.com Brothers’ Optical Laboratory Founded: 1973 HQ./Main Lab Location: Orange, Calif. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 59 Key Executives: Carlo Ragazzo, Tony Esposito Owners: Joseph M. Ragazzo, John Ragazzo Trade Names: None Key Markets: Calif., Ariz., Las Vegas, Oregon, Hawaii 2012 Est. Net Sales: $10 million Rx Sales: $10.0 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 450 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 25% Comments: Well-established, full-service lab. www.brothersoptical.com Carl Zeiss Vision Laboratories Founded: 2000 HQ.: San Diego, Calif. No. of Locations: 18 No. of Employees: 1,000 Key Executives: Joe Donahoe, Claude Labeeuw, Dave Jochims, Steve Ballenger Owner: Carl Zeiss AG, Germany Trade Names: Carl Zeiss Vision—B&W, Carl Zeiss Vision—Cumberland, Carl Zeiss Vision—Great Lakes, Carl Zeiss Vision—Kansas City, Carl Zeiss Vision— Siouxland, Carl Zeiss Vision—Kentucky, Carl Zeiss Vision—Southwest, Carl Zeiss Vision—Northeast, Carl Zeiss Vision—North Central, Carl Zeiss Vision—Northwest, Carl Zeiss Vision—Southeastern, Carl Zeiss Vision—California, Carl Zeiss Vision—Texas, Carl Zeiss Vision—Virginia, Carl Zeiss Vision—Georgia, Carl Zeiss Vision—Iowa. Key Markets: Nationwide 2012 Est. Net Sales: $162 million Rx Sales: $145.8 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 10,600 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 25% Comments: Network of full-service laboratories. Proprietary products include Zeiss brand lenses and coatings, PhotoFusion by Zeiss self-tinting lenses, SOLA and AO lenses, Teflon Clear Coat. Offers Carl Zeiss Vision Rewards program. www.vision.zeiss.com/us Cherry Optical Founded: 1999 HQ./Main Lab Location: Green Bay, Wis. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 40 Key Executives: Adam Cherry, Lynn Cherry, Joe Cherry Owners: Adam Cherry, Lynn Cherry, Joe Cherry Trade Names: What’s New University, Fog Free TDZ, TDZ, Quantum HD, Quantum 2, Safety Optix, HD SV. Key Markets: Wis., Mich., Ill., Texas, Va., N.Y. 2012 Est. Net Sales: $7.4 million Rx Sales: $6.7 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 315 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 29% Comments: Proprietary products include Fog Free TDZ, Quantum HD & Quantum 2 PALs & HD SV. Special services/programs include 100 percent digital surfacing, 100 percent Mei milling edging technology, sports frame processing, wrap frame processing, Oakley, Maui Jim, Rudy Project, Safety Optix safety eyewear program, What’s New University CE event at Lambeau Field—the largest single day optical industry event in the nation. Classic Optical Founded: 1970 HQ./Main Lab Location: Youngstown, Ohio No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 125 Key Executives: Dawn Friedkin, Chief Operating Officer; Rodney Remsey, Director, Lab Operations; Steve Mermer, Director, Information Technology; Amy Barnes, Manager, Administration & Human Resources; Mary Anne O’Toole, Manager, Sales & Customer Service; Mary Womble, Sales & Contracting Owner: The Friedkin family Trade Names: Classic Optical Lab Key Markets: National 2012 Est. Net Sales: $16.5 million Rx Sales: $16.5 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 2,500 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 3% Comments: Offers full menu of proprietary free-form lenses including the Apex Advanced in variable and fixed progressive designs and Apex Performance in office and single vision designs. Specializes in volume contracts to managed vision care organizations, governmental agencies, correctional institutions and online and brick-and-mortar retail chains as well as direct to more than 3,000 eyecare providers nationally; Advanced IT integration services and custom IT solutions for managed care organizations and governmental agencies to streamline online ordering, manage eyeglass benefits for members and process provider professional and hardware claims. www.classicoptical.com Digital Eye Lab (a division of Optical Distributor Group) Location of Headquarters: Hawthorne, N.Y. Founded: 2007 HQ./Main Lab Location: Hawthorne, N.Y. Number of locations: 1 No. of Employees: 70 Key Executives: Scott Pearl, Managing Director; Vince Monaghan, VP of manufacturing. Owner: Optical Distributor Group Trade Names: None Key Markets: National 2012 Est. Net Sales: $20.2 million Rx Sales: $20.2 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 900 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 55% Comments: 100 percent of lenses are digitally surfaced using proprietary DXT manufacturing platform. Multiple fully automated digital fabrication lines. On-site Claris HD AR coating center. Extensive onside lens finishing center, featuring interchangeable and wrap lens finishing capability. National sales organization. “Digital Rewards” customer loyalty program. Website features proprietary online job ordering/tracking/reporting functions built specifically for the unique needs of digital lenses. Overnight delivery across the continental U.S. on a unique mix of digital lenses from Digital 5.0, Seiko, Indo and Shamir. Continually developing next generation lens options. Proprietary products include Digital 5.0 Personalized Lens Series, Curve PAL and SV wrap designs, Claris HD AR coating. www.Digitaleyelab.com Diversified Ophthalmics Laboratory Group Founded: 1977 HQ./Main Lab Location: Cincinnati, Ohio No. of Locations: 11 No. of Employees: 95 Key Executives: Ronald Cooke, president/CEO; Ronald Cooke, Jr., COO Owner: Closely held corporation Trade Names: DLAB, DO Southeast, DO Washington, OptiSource, PureSite, Salt Lake Optical, Summit Optical, TriOptics Key Markets: Ga. Idaho, Ind., Ky., La., Mich., Mont., N.C., Pa., Ohio, S.C., Tenn., Texas, Utah, Wash., Wis., W.Va. 2012 Est. Net Sales: $30 million Rx Sales: $14.1 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,080 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 22% Comments: Full service labs with ophthalmic lens and RGP manufacturing capabilities. 2005 Transitions “Lab of the Year.” Transitions Platinum Elite Laboratory. Transitions Heritage Lab. Authorized Varilux distributor. VSP contract lab. Signet Armorlite partner lab. Operates on-site AR coating facility. AR branded products includes PureSite Preference Platinum. Offers free-form digital surfacing, including PureSite Digital lenses, Essilor lenses, and Shamir lenses. Offers eyeglass and contact lens packages, Perfect View frame-and-lens value packages, certified continuing education seminars and staff training. Markets PureSite brand of stock lenses and PureSite Preference AR. Offers on-line and electronic ordering; remote frame tracing, Practice Maximus optometric office management software. Special services and programs include Frames Travel Programs, Transitions Day at the Races, seminars, RIP, Perfect View, DBAN, Eye to the Sky. Member of the Vision Council, Vision Council Lab Division and AR Council. 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010 LabTalk Top Ten Web Site of the Year. 2009 LabTalk Top Web Site. www.divopt.com e.magine Optical Founded: 1992 HQ./Main Lab Location: Tulsa, Okla. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 15 Key Executives: Tom Yancy Owner: Tom Yancy Trade Names: EviewHD, Repel Plus Key Markets: Okla., Texas, Kan., Ark., Mo. 2012 Est. Net Sales: $3.9 million Rx Sales: $3.2 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 240 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 7% Comments: Offers Team Rewards co-op marketing program; IndividualEYES marketing program for private practices; Jumpstart ABO training program; 24/7 online ordering and account access; online job tracking; LenStock stock lens ordering program. emagineoptical.com Essilor Founded: 1996 HQ./Main Lab Location: Dallas, Texas No. of Locations: 136 No. of Employees: 6,415 Key Executives: Real Goulet-president, Mike Nathe-senior VP ELOA, Rick Long- senior VP Partner Labs, Alain Mathieu-VP operations and technologies, Greg DiPasquale – VP strategic accounts Owner: Essilor International Trade Names: 21st Century Optical, Abba Contact Lens, AccuRX Inc., ACO, Advance Optical, Apex, Aspen Optical, Barnett & Ramel, Bartley Optical, Beitler-McKee Optical, Bell Optical Labs, Bristow Optical, Central Optical, Collard Rose Optical, Crown Optical, CSC, Custom Eyes, Dash Lab, DBL Labs, Deschutes Optical, Duffens Optical, Dunlaw Optical, East Coast Ophthalmic, Elite Optical, ELOA New Jersey, Empire Optical, Epic Labs, Eyecare Express, Focus Optical, Future Optical FL, Future Optical TN, GK Optical, Gold Optical, Gulf States Optical, Heard Optical, Hi-Tech, Homer Optical, Jorgenson Optical, Interstate Optical, Kosh Ophthalmic, Meridian Optical, McLeod Optical, MGM Optical, Midland Optical, Milroy, NEA Optical, New City Optical, Omega Optical, Omni Optical Lab, Optical One, Inc, Optic Blue, Optical Suppliers Inc., Optical Supply, Opti-Craft, Optimatrix, Optogenics of Syracuse, Ozarks Optical, Pech Optical, Perferx Optical, Peninsula Optical, Personal Eyes Optical, Precision Optical Company, Precision Optics, Premier Optics, Professional Ophthalmic Labs, Reliable Optics, S&G Optical, Select Optical, Southern Optical, Southwest Lens, Spectrum Optical, Sunstar Optical, Sutherlin Optical, Top Network, Tri-Supreme, Truckee Meadows, Twin City Optical, Vision Craft Inc, Winchester, WOS Optical. Key Markets: Local and National 2012 Est. Net Sales: $1,126 million Rx Sales: $1,058 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 72,400 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 35% Comments: Nationwide network of full-service labs. Proprietary products include LiteStyle/Ultra LiteStyle Lenses, Crizal AR Coatings, Sharpview. Programs include ECP University, Needs Based Solutions, Think About Your Practice, Doctor Directed Processes. www.eloa.com Expert Optics Founded: 1979 HQ./Main Lab Location: Shorewood, Ill. No. of Locations: 2 No. of Employees: 90 Key Executives: Don Ruden, CEO; Greg Ruden, president; Bob Pommier, director of laboratory operations; Bob Hughbanks, manager of training and education Owner: Greg Ruden Trade names: Expert Best, Expert Essential, Expert Elite, Expert Extreme Key Markets: National 2012 Est. Net Sales: $19.2 million Rx Sales: $20 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 920 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 22% Comments: Operates three free-form production lines that process lens designs from the leading manufacturers including: AO Easy HD, Compact Ultra HD, Seiko Succeed, Seiko Supercede, Seiko Surmount, Shamir Attitude, Shamir Autograph, Shamir Element, Shamir Office, SOLA HDV, SOLA One HD, Varilux Comfort DRx, Varilux Physio DRx, Zeiss GT2 3D, Zeiss GT2 3DV, Zeiss Individual. The Crizal AR coating line capable of processing brands from SOLA, Zeiss, and Essilor. Signet Armorlite Partner Lab, Carl Zeiss Vision Premier Lab and member of Global Optics. Teflon Clear Coat, Crizal and Kodak Clear coating facility in-house; also producers of Zeiss foundation XT, Carat and Carat Advantage lens treatments, Chemistrie Magnetic Clip, Oasis Tears and Enhancer Lens Treatment. Hosts annual Optical Preview Day. A.B.O.-certified sales force offers in-office education. Offers Lenstock web-based lens ordering and inventory management system. Inventories over 50 frame lines with various frame and lens package programs. Authorized processor of emPower electronic eyewear by Pixel Optics and Carrera X-cede polarized NXT by Safilo. Exclusive distributor and processor of VedaloHD sunwear. www.expertoptics.net Eye-Kraft Optical Founded: 1954 HQ./Main Lab Location: Saint Cloud, Minn. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 48 Key Executives: Floyd Lehne, president; Lawrence Lahr, VP; Michael Moeller, treasurer Owner: Patricia Negaard Trade Names: Eye-Lite, Eye-Lite Poly, Sun-Lite Key Markets: National 2012 Est. Net Sales: $5.9 million Rx Sales: $4.5 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 588 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 3% Comments: Full service, VBA-approved lab. Provides free point-of-purchase brochures and counter displays to help educate patients. Offers lens and frame package including 130 stocked, high quality frame styles from nine manufacturers with various lens types. Accepts many forms of insurance, including MN Care. Affiliated with buying groups including The Alliance/Buyers Edge, America’s Doctors of Optometry, Association of Eye Care, Centers/Pearlman Buying Group, Block Vision Buying Group, C&E Vision Services, Hayes Marketing, Newton Professional Purchasing, Ophthalmic Education Institute, Wisconsin Vision Associates. Offers same-day service at no extra charge. Offers various AR coatings including Crizal and Crizal Alizé. www.eyekraft.com FEA Industries Founded: 1984 HQ./Main Lab Location: Morton, Pa. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 56 Key Executives: Chrystal Colflesh, general manager; Chris Heeney, operations manager; William H. Heffner, IV, IT and marketing Owner: Willliam H. Heffner, III Trade Names: Independence, Eagle Key Markets: National 2012 Est. Net Sales: $13.5 million Rx Sales: $12.0 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,623 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 88% Comments: Full-service lab offering in-house Independent AR and dip coating. Participates in third-party programs. VBA only. Offers stock lenses, stock frames and safety frames. Website includes ordering, tracking reports, invoices. Offers Kodak CleAR. Carries most major lens brands except Varilux. Proprietary products include Independence AR, personalized progressives including wrap compensation and lenticularization, personalized multifocals and Eagle free-form progressives. www.feaind.com Hirsch Optical Founded: 1978 HQ./Main Lab Location: Farmingdale, N.Y. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 50 Key Executives: Michael J. Rothstein, CEO; Roz Rothstein, president; Kenneth Mittel, senior VP; Vicki Masliah, director of professional education; Richard Salberg, director of sales Owners: Roz Rothstein, Kenneth Mittel, Michael J. Rothstein Trade Names: CHAD and Super CHAD Key Markets: N.Y., N.J., Pa., Conn. 2012 Est. Net Sales: $13 million Rx Sales: $12.4 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 800 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 35% Comments: Offers proprietary AR coatings applied in-house: CHAD (Clear, Hard, Anti-Reflective, Durable) and premium coating Super CHAD. EZ Rx, Eyefinity and VisionWeb on-line ordering and remote tracing. Accredited educational seminars. Award-winning Varilux distributor, Essilor Gold Advantage Plan lab, Transitions Platinum Elite Lab, Zeiss Premier Distributor, Shamir ReCreating Perfect Vision Partnering Lab, Signet Armorlite Lab Partner, Hoya lens distributor. VSP and VBA contract lab. Vendor for Block Buying Group and Alfred J. Villavecchia Buying Group. Offers all Crizal, Hoya, Zeiss, glass and mirror coatings. Ophthalmic frame lines include Apple Bottoms By Nelly, Bill Blass, Cadillac Eyewear, Hello Kitty, Hershey’s Eyewear, Jill Stuart, Levi’s, LTX, Liberty Rec Specs, Miro Optix’s Division1 sports safety, Paula Deen, Perry Ellis and others. Distributes Fantom custom clip-ons, Podreaders and Titmus safety frames. Website features special retail customer referral program. www.hirschoptical.com The Hoya Free-Form Company Founded: 2000 HQ./Main Lab Location: Lewisville, Texas Locations: 24 Employees: 1,040 Key Executives: Barney Dougher, president; Yoshiyuki Ono, VP lens technology; Rich Montag, VP sales; Rick Tinson, VP of inventory control; Kraig Black, VP information services; Jason White, VP finance; Don Dakin, director of sales analysis; Greg Hicks, OD, director of professional affairs; Ray Knoll, western regional VP; Mike Dougher, eastern regional VP; Iggy Fernandez, central regional VP; Ron Barnes, director of marketing. Owner: Hoya Corporation Trade Names: Hoya Atlanta, Hoya Boise, Hoya Chicago, Hoya Cleveland, Hoya Dallas, Hoya Dayton, Hoya Denver, Hoya Eugene, Hoya Hartford, Hoya Knoxville, Hoya Largo, Hoya Las Vegas, Hoya Lewiston, Hoya Los Angeles, Hoya Michigan, Hoya Modesto, Hoya New Orleans, Hoya Portland, Hoya Salina, Hoya San Antonio, Hoya San Diego, Hoya Seattle, Hoya South Carolina, Hoya St. Louis. Key Markets: National 2012 Est. Net Sales: $215 million Rx Sales: $193.5 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 12,000 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 20% Comments: The Hoya Free-Form Company is a nationwide network of full-service labs with high performance proprietary free-form lens designs, including iD Free Form Series: MyStyle, InStyle, LifeStyle, Single Vision; iQ Free Form Series: Summit ecp iQ, Summit cd iQ, ST28 iQ, Single Vision; Distortion Free Optics Free Form Vision System; Performance Designs: Summit ecp, Summit cd, GP Wide; New Media Optics: Sync, Tact; Proprietary lens materials: 1.70, Eyry, 1.67 Eynoa, 1.60 Eyas, 1.53 Phoenix, 1.50; Proprietary Lens Coatings: Super HiVision EX3, Super HiVision, HiVision, ViewProtect; Diamond Tint UV; Suntech photochromics; Clarity Shield 2 scratch coating; Special services and pPrograms include HHP (Hoya Honors Program). www.thehoyafreeformcompany.com Icare Labs Founded: 1968 HQ./Main Lab Location: St. Petersburg, Fla. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 95 Key Executives: Scott Payne, chairman; Skip Payne, president; James Payne, director of IT; Danny Payne, director of operations; Greg Gehrig, CFO; James Stephany, director of sales Owners: The Payne family Trade Names: Icare Labs, ICL365, Sea Vision USA Key Markets: East Coast, Southwest 2012 Est. Net Sales: $20.5 million Rx Sales: $17.4 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,800 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 65% Comments: Full-service, family owned and operated. Offers all major lens brands such as Varilux, Kodak, Zeiss and Hoya. Offers customized services and pricing on lenses and frames. Operates in-house Crizal AR coating center. Offers own ICE AR brand. In-house digital lab produces Essilor, Varilux, Shamir and own legacy series. Proprietary brands include ICE AR, Legacy digital lenses. Authorized distributor of all major lens brands. Manufactures specialized sport prescription lens products including SeaVision dive masks. www.icarelabs.com Laramy-K Optical Founded: 1989 HQ./Main Lab Location: Indianola, Iowa No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 29 Key Executives: John Larson, general manager Owners: Janet Benjamin, Keith Benjamin, John Larson Trade Names: None Key Markets: Worldwide 2012 Est. Net Sales: $4.2 million Rx Sales: $3.9 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 330 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 100 percent Comments: Uncut-only lab. Proprietary products include Integrity Series lenses, including free-form products such as the Radical SV to the Rebel and three other progressive designs to AR coatings, including UVARity with RB Tech. Also processes Shamir and Seiko free-form products, as well as glass lenses. Online store offers wide range of tools, accessories and consumables. OpenOptix online education program offers ABO and NCL Certification Study Guides. www.laramyk.com Luzerne Optical Laboratories Founded: 1973 HQ./Main Lab Location: Wilkes-Barre, Penn. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 200 Key Executives: Jack Dougherty, president; Lorraine Dougherty, VP; Neil Dougherty, GM; John Dougherty, VP purchasing Owner: Dougherty family Trade Names: Polar365, SightStar, PhotoFashion, DuraCurve, Crizal Easy UV, Crizal Alizé UV, Crizal Avancé UV, Crizal Sunshield UV, Crizal UV with Optifog, TD2, Teflon, Advantage, Carat and Foundation XT, EVC-enhanced visual clarity, Zeiss PureCoat, Teflon Elite, Zeiss Allure. Key Markets: National 2012 Est. Net Sales: $33 million Rx Sales: $32 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 2,000 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 48% Comments: Field-consultant force offers practice development, business reviews and private consultations. Specializes in processing all major brands of free-form progressive lenses. Authorized empower! laboratory. Manufactures SightStar, Polar365, PhotoFashion, Varilux, Zeiss, Definity, Transitions, Essilor, Shamir, Kodak, Hoya, Polycore, Optima, Pixel Optics, Kaenon, Seiko, Vision-Ease, Marinelli, DriveWear premium lenses and difficult Rx’s. Offers frames, frame/lens package programs, Chemistrie eyewear, stock lenses, sunglasses, safety eyewear, soft contacts, low vision and pharmaceuticals. In-house AR facility producing EVC–enhanced visual clarity, Crizal Easy UV, Alizé UV, Avancé UV, Crizal Sunshield UV, Crizal UV with Optifog, TD2, Zeiss PureCoat, Teflon Elite, Teflon, Zeiss Allure, mirror coatings and more. Award-winning in-house gas perm contact lens facility produces custom DuraCurve aspheric GP’s. Provides advanced remote ordering with RxWizard, Visionweb, Paradeyes and Eyefinity software via the Web. Vendor lab for most major buying groups. VSP & VBA approved. www.luzerneoptical.com MJ Optical Founded: 1988 HQ./Main Lab Location: Omaha, Neb. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 62 Key Executives: Marty Hagge, Parke Wilkinson, Matt Hagge, David Mize, Morrie Hagge, Michael Hagge Owner: Mary Hagge Trade Names: None Key Markets: National 2012 Est. Net Sales: $12.5 million Rx Sales: $9.3 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,150 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 53% Comments: Proprietary products include Platinum HD digital; Varilux digital; Nyteyez and Mirage AR; Distributes Varilux and Zeiss lenses. Offers Titanium frame and lens package. Distributes contact lenses. Offers on-line ordering and job tracking. www.mjoptical.com Nassau Vision Group/Nova Optical Lab Founded: 1939 HQ./Main Lab Location: Northvale, N.J. No. of Locations: 7 No. of Employees: 209 Key Executives: Maureen Cavanagh, president; Neil Rosen, VP - Sales and Ops; Mark Levitas, Director of Finance; Bruno Barajuan, General Manager Owner: Essilor of America Trade Names: Nassau Vision Group, Nova Optical, Nassau Lens Florida, Nassau Lens Southwest, Nassau Lens Midwest, Nassau Lens Southeast, Nassau Lens West Key Markets: National 2012 Est. Net Sales: $87 million Rx Sales: $22 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,600 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 80% Comments: Nova offers a variety of products servicing premium PALs such as Varilux S, Definity and Unique as well as value offerings such as Ideal and Shoreview Digital. The company installed digital equipment in May of 2011 and recently installed a second Crizal coating machine. www.Nassau247.com Optical Prescription Lab Founded: 1977 HQ./Main Lab Location: Pelham, Ala. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 23 Key Executives: Danny Pugh, president; Sherry Pugh, vice president Owners: Danny Pugh, Sherry Pugh Trade Names: O.P.L. Key Markets: Ala., Tenn., Miss., Ga., Fla. 2012 Est. Net Sales: $5.5 million Rx Sales: $5.2 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 300 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 30% Comments: Offers in-house digital lens processing; distributes Varilux, Hoya, Shamir, Seiko and Zeiss lenses. Operates in-house Crizal processing center. VSP, VCP and VBA-approved lab. www.opticalprescriptionlab.com Pinnacle Optical Founded: 2002 HQ./Main Lab Location: Birmingham, Ala. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 22 Key Executives: Greg Blackwell, Jeffrey Crooks Owner: EyeCare Associates and Greg Blackwell Trade Names: None Key Markets: Southeast 2012 Est. Net Sales: $4.2 million Rx Sales: $4.2 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 200 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 10% Comments: Proprietary products include Icon HD digital lenses; klarem Eis AST No-Glare; ProClean EZ Frame & Len Package; Chemistrie Lens Layering System. Full digital surfacing lab featuring Varilux, Essilor, Shamir and Seiko lens designs; Crizal Processing Center www.pinnacleoptical.com Precision Optical Group Founded: 1992 HQ./Main Lab Location: Creston, Iowa No. of Locations: 3 No. of Employees: 90 Key Executives: Shannon Waigand, Lance Christensen, Mike Kellman, Warren Herron Owner: Mike Tamerius, Matt Somers Trade Names: Precision Optical Group, Inc., K Optical Laboratory, CRX Laboratories Key Markets: U.S., Canada, Virgin Islands, China, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom 2012 Est. Net Sales: $16.9 million Rx Sales: $12.7 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,500 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 70% Comments: Full service lab offering low pricing with same day service nationwide. Distributes semi-finish blanks and lab supplies to other wholesalers throughout the US, Canada, China and UK. Customized industrial safety rx programs, VSP, VBA & VCP authorized. www.poglabs.com Rite-Style Optical Founded: 1948 HQ./Main Lab Location: Omaha, Neb. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 114 Key Executives: George Lee, CEO; Larry Lee, president Owner: Lee family Trade Names: RSO Advantage AR, Rite Protect Key Markets: Midwest, Southeast, Texas 2012 Est. Net Sales: $26.0 million Rx Sales: $24.7 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,100 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 25% Comments: Full-service lab specializing in free-form lenses and in-house AR coating. Main lens brands include Seiko, Shamir and Zeiss plus private-label Geo-Form. Offers proprietary line of Kodiak premium AR coatings, include Acro (VSP category D) and Integ (VSP C) and Xzilon-EZ clean hydrophobic lens coating. The RSO Safety Rx division covers corporate accounts nationally as well as safety programs for independent ECPs. RSO is affiliated with Eyefinity/VSP, Vision Source, VisionWeb and Red Tray Optical. www.ritestyle.com Robertson Optical Laboratories Founded: 1958 H.Q./Main Lab Location: Loganville, Ga. No. of Locations: 3 No. of Employees: 109 Key Executives: Owners and Glenn Hollingsworth, director of lab operations Owners: Calvin W. Robertson, Jr., Richard L. Robertson, Gordon “Scotty” Q. Scott, Jr., Calvin “Chip” W. Robertson, III Trade Names: Robertson Optical Laboratories, Robertson Optical Laboratories of Columbia, Robertson Optical Laboratories of Greenville. Key Markets: Southeastern U.S. 2012 Est. Net Sales: $17.6 million Rx Sales: $16.9 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,450 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 20% Comments: On-site free-form technology and digital grinding offering service and quality on Carl Zeiss Customized lenses, Shamir Freeform lenses, Seiko Freeform lenses, and ROL Coze Freeform Lenses. Full service labs servicing southeast for over 50 years with new lens products and new technologies. Two on-site AR coating facilities providing AR1, Duralux, UltraClean, Ocean,Teflon, and Zeiss. MEI edging. Distributes Carl Zeiss, Shamir, Seiko, Signet Armorlite, Vision Ease, Younger, Hoya, Essilor and other major lens brands. Approved VSP, VBA, VCP contract labs. Authorized EmPower lab. Offers frame and lens packages, specializing in three-piece mounts, wraps and Chemistrie Custom Clips. Member VCA and OLA. Offers online ordering and job tracking. www.robertsonoptical.com Superior Optical Labs Founded: 1991 HQ./Main Lab Location: Ocean Springs, Miss. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 55 Key Executives: Hal Walker, president; Jon Jacobs, vice president Owner: Hal Walker, Jon Jacobs Trade Names: Exilar and Exilar Plus Key Markets: Southeast 2012 Est. Net Sales: $6.3 million Rx Sales: $6.0 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 375 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 15% Comments: Offers in-house digital lens processing; distributes Varilux Hoya, Younger and Transitions lenses. Produces Crizal coatings in-house. Offers value packages, education, Powerpoint programs. VSP authorized. www.superioroptical.com Three Rivers Optical Founded: 1969 HQ./Main Lab Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 68 Key Executives: Mary Ann Zappas, Joe Seibert, Steve Seibert Owner: Seibert Family Trade Names: None Key Markets: Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast 2012 Est. Net Sales: $18.5 million Rx Sales: $17.8 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,500 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 45% Comments: Operates in-house Crizal coating facility. Produces Essilor and Shamir Freeform lenses as well as Varilux, Zeiss, Crizal, See More Easy Clean top coat. Transitions, and proprietary TR O Seg bifocal and TR O SEG in all resign materials. Offers private label Discovery brand progressive lens and See More Valuehd and See More ICU backside fully digital progressives. www.3riversoptical.com Toledo Optical Founded: 1947 HQ./Main Lab Location: Toledo, Ohio No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 55 Key Executives: Irland Tashima, Jeffrey Szymanski, Robert Lommerse, Brian Green Owners: Tashima, Green, Szymanski, Lommerse and Walman Optical Trade Names: Toledo Optical, Toledo Optical Lab Key Markets: Ohio, Mich. and Midwest 2012 Est. Net Sales: $10.1 million Rx Sales: $9.4 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 540 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 5% Comments: Manufactures proprietary Acclaro Elite and Acclaro AR lenses, the “Visionary” family of customized, digitally fabricated progressive lenses and specialty lenses and ARMOR—XT Premium Scratch Coatings. Offers “Strata” multimedia training series, “Jumpstart” Practice Management support systems, “Get There From Here,” a joint Practice Management initiative, featuring Transitions Optical and Williams Group, and the custom ”Attainment” education and inspirational success driving platform. Dedicated sales force. Offers “One Step Rx”, and individualized “Customer Performance Reports”. Distributes Transitions, Varilux, Shamir, Younger and Zeiss lens brands, plus Zyloware, Imagewear, McGee, and Nouveau frame lines, amongst many others. Partners with Williams Group Certified consultants. Received multiple industry awards and recognitions, including Transitions “Lab of the Year” in 2003, 2006, and 2010, VSP’s “People First” Lab award winner, Transitions Heritage Ambassador Club member, DVI “Implementer of the Year,” 2011 Varilux Laboratory of the Year. Member of Global Optics and the Vision Council. www.toledooptical.com US Optical Founded: 2008 HQ./Main Lab Location: East Syracuse, N.Y. No. of Locations: 1 No. of Employees: 70 Key Executives: Robert Cotran, president; Ronald Cotran, VP; Ralph Cotran, VP Owners: Robert Cotran, Ronald Cotran, Ralph Cotran Trade Names: US Optical-Fastest Lab in America Key Markets: National 2012 Est. Net Sales: $22 million Rx Sales: $22 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,500 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 65% Comments: Three robotic digital generators, six digital polishers, four Zeiss AR machines, two Mei edgers, one traditional generator and polisher; offers free-form lenses from Seiko, Zeiss and Shamir (Hoya coming soon), Zeiss flash mirrors, PixelOptix emPower, Carrera Xcede sunglass program for Safilo, 24-hour service on uncuts. Zeiss-aligned independent lab. www.usoptical.com VSPOne Optical Technology Centers Founded: 1972 HQ./Main Lab Location: Sacramento, Calif. No. of Locations: 7 No. of Employees: 750 Key Executives: Don Oakley, President; Warren Meyer, Sr. Vice- President—Lab Operations; Edward Morris (Vice President- Sales); Swen Carlson (Vice President—Central Regional Lab Operations; Danny Singer, Vice President—Eastern Region Lab Operations; Joe Maris (Vice President—Western Lab Operations. Owner: Vision Service Plan Trade Names: VSPOne Columbus; VSPOne Dallas; VSPOne Fort Lauderdale; VSPOne Olympia; VSPOneSacramento; VSPOne San Diego, VSPOne Tampa Bay; UNITY PLx, Reveal and Espira Progressive Lenses, UNITY SVx Single Vision, UNITY Performance Coatings, Ethos AR Coating. Key Markets: National 2012 Est. Net Sales: $120 million Rx Sales: $112.8 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 6,300 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 15% Comments: Proprietary products include Unity Performance Optics (Lenses & Coatings), Reveal, Ethos Lenses, Unity Stock Lenses. Services and programs include VSPOne Lab Rewards Program, Second Pair Program, VSP Global Loyalty Program, On-site AR including Crizal, Zeiss, and Unity Performance Coatings. In-network digital (customized/freeform) surfacing capabilities producing Unity Progressive Lenses, Reveal, Shamir, Sola, Varilux and Zeiss customized progressives, Unity SVx Single Vision products and Unity CVx computer lenses. Mei and A&R automated finishing technology. Distributors of Hoya, Seiko-Pentax, Signet Armorlite, Transitions, Varilux, Vision Ease, Younger and Zeiss products. www.vspone.com Walman Optical Company Founded: 1915 HQ./Main Lab Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. and Brooklyn Park, Minn. No. of Locations: 36 No. of Employees: 860 Key Executives: Marty Bassett president/CEO; Charles Pillsbury, executive VP; Doug Schlauderaff, executive VP, Craig Giles, executive VP, Bryan Schueler VP. Owner: Employee-owned Trade Names: Walman Optical, Soderberg Optical, Harbor Optical, SEOCO Optical, Walman Soderberg Instruments, X-Cel Contacts, Hydrogel Vision Corporation, ImageWear, Ultra Optics, ADO Buying Group, Preferred Select Buying Group. Key Markets: National 2012 Est. Net Sales: $240 million Rx Sales: $111 million No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 6,850 Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 20% Comments: Complete digital surfacing and finishing capabilities supported by on-site AR coating facilities providing Essilor Crizal, Zeiss and Ultra AR; offering Remo, Eyefinity and VisionWeb on-line ordering; Walman U and Harbor University educational seminars; exclusive Optical Help Desk; industry’s largest independent sales force. Proprietary products include Acclaim brand digital lenses, Callaway, Stepper Eyewear, Sundance, London Fog, Wiggles and Wildflower frames, Trusted Partners, Innexus Web sites, ProLens premium lens packaging, Way Cool Frames, Valu-line, practice marketing and practice building seminars. Soderberg MYTEE-Lite premium lens program, MaximEyes, Ultimate Rewards, Be Young Be U programs, What’s Your Game Plan and Partners for Growth seminars. Harbor Individual Eyes and Innexus web programs; member of Transitions Heritage Labs. www.walman.com, www.soseyes.com, www.harboroptical.com