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Balester Optical
Founded: 1934
HQ./Main Lab Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 90
Key Executives: Heather Balester, Dale Parmenteri, Fred P. 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
Key Markets: Eastern U.S.
2008 Est. Net Sales: $13.7 million
Rx Sales: $13.0 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 887
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 54%Comments: Lenses brands include Varilux, In-house Crizal, Crizal Alize, Crizal Avance with Scotchgard, Zeiss, RF Endura EZ, Definity, Transitions, Hoya, Shamir, Sunsensors, Gradal Top 1 & 2, Sola One, AO Easy, EOS, Pentax. AO Compact, SOLAMax, Ovation, Kodak Concise/Precise, LifeRx, Phoenix, Seiko, Trilogy, Coppertone, NuPolar, Instashades, Tegra. Frame brands include Sophia Loren, Alexander Julian, Bulova, BUM, Essence, Wrangler, Stetson, Just-Match-It, Bratz, Nickelodeon, Randy Jackson, Sperry. Products include Smart Mirror, Wink Pad. Programs include Balester Dispenser Awards (Transitions), Value & Drilled Rimless Packages, 2nd Pair Program, Balester Direct Rx Program, Back to School Program, Superstar Frame Board Management Program, $2,000 Minute ABO Certified Education Series, CPR ABO Training; On-line ordering-VisionWeb, Eyefinity,E-Dr.com, Remote Tracing, 24 hour On-line order status; VSP, VBA, Vision Source, Essilor Edge, Practice Plus Program, Shamir and Zeiss Rewards.

Brothers’ Optical Laboratory
Founded: 1973
HQ./Main Lab Location: Anaheim, Calif.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 70
Key Executives: Joseph M. Ragazzo, John Ragazzo, Carlo Ragazzo, Tony Esposito
Owners: Joseph M. Ragazzo, John Ragazzo
Trade Names: none
Key Market: California
2008 Est. Net Sales: $9.5 million
Rx Sales: $9.5 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 550
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 25%
Comments: Well-established, full-service lab
Web site: www.brothersoptical.com

CSC Laboratories
Founded: 1967
HQ./Main Lab Location: Watsonville, Calif.
No. of Locations: 2
No. of Employees: 165
Key Executives: Dong K. Kim, group president/CEO; Bu Kim, senior VP, manufacturing; Paul Yoon, VP, operations; Greg Kohmescher, CFO; Robert C. Kim, legal counsel; Mike Kim, GM, Microcoating Laboratory; Jim Serruys, GM, Ocular Laboratories
Owner: Dong Kook Kim
Trade Names: CSC Laboratories, (Watsonville, Calif.); Microcoating Laboratory (Watsonville, Calif.); Ocular Laboratories (San Jose, Calif.)
Key Markets: U.S., Central and South America, Caribbean, South Pacific
2008 Est. Net Sales: $28 million
Rx Sales: $25.2 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,650
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 25%
Comments: Offers complete range of stock lenses, including polycarbonate, under the trademarks Conti-Lite, Conti-Guard, Millenia AR and TotalView. 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. 40% of frame line manufactured in Europe under special arrangement; 60% manufactured in Asia. New designer frame lines for 2008 under Boutique Design, Inc., a solely owned subsidiary of Optics East, Inc.: Martini Design, Gattinoni Collection and Garrison Perspectives Collection, Rentao Balestra. Service programs include Space Invaders frame/lens program; MicroCoating Lab equipped with three units of high-vacuum AR coating machinery from Satisloh to produce Crizal, Crizal Alizé, Crizal Alizé with Clear Guard and Magnum Strada AR coatings. Authorized VSP contract lab; authorized Hoya lens distributor; authorized Essilor lens distributor: Crizal EXT lens.
Web site: www.csclabs.com

Carl Zeiss Vision Laboratories
Founded: 2000
HQ.: San Diego, Calif.
No. of Locations: 17
No. of Employees: 1,020
Key Executives: Fred Howard, Dave Delle Donne, David Jochims
Owner: Carl Zeiss Vision
Trade Names: B&W Optical, Carl Zeiss Vision—Kentucky, Carl Zeiss Vision—Northwest, Cumberland Optical, Great Lakes Coating Laboratory, Kansas City Ophthalmic, Laser Optics, North Central Ophthalmics, Northeast Lens, Siouxland Ophthalmic Labs, Southeastern Optical, Specto, Vision Systems
Key Markets: Nationwide
2008 Est. Net Sales: $140 million
Rx Sales: $132.0 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 10,500
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 25%
Comments: Network of full-service laboratories. Proprietary products include Teflon Clear Coat lenses, Zeiss, SOLA, AO. VSP contract lab.
Web site: www.vision.zeiss.com

Classic Optical
Founded: 1970
HQ./Main Lab Location: Youngstown, Ohio
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 70
Key Executives: Monte Friedkin, president; Dawn Friedkin, GM; Bob Sherman, dir. of sales and contracting; Rodney Remsey, dir. of lab operations
Owner: Friedkin family
Trade Names: None
Key Markets: National
2008 Est. Net Sales: $12.2 million
Rx Sales: $12.1 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,650
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 20%
Comments: VSP contract lab #126; Full-service, national and independently-owned and operated; Shamir and Zeiss distributor; Expert at Federal and State Volume Purchase Contracts.  Specializing in Managed Care and complete Safety Eyewear Onsite and Network Programs; Frame and lens packages from $25 including new “Retro Z” and “Kids” School Collection; Large frame inventory for custom programs (name brands include Essence, Dockers, Nintendo, Hilary Duff and Polaroid); Overnight service on most uncut orders; Easy to use, secure online Rx, stock lens and accessory ordering.
Web site: http://www.classicoptical.com/

Diversified Ophthalmics Laboratory Group
Founded: 1977
HQ./Main lab location: Cincinnati, Ohio
No. of Locations: 13
No. of Employees: 115
Key Executives: Ronald Cooke, president/CEO; Ronald Cooke, Jr., COO
Owner: Closely held corporation
Trade names: DLAB, DO Kentuckiana, DO Southeast, DO Washington, Indiana Ophthalmics, OptiSource, PureSite, Salt Lake Optical, Summit Optical, TriOptics
Key Markets: Ga., Idaho, Ind., Ky., Mich., Mont., N.C., Ohio, Pa., S.C., Tenn., Texas, Utah, Wash., Wis., W.Va.
2008 Est. Net sales: $19.1 million
Rx Sales: $13.8 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,095
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 24%
Comments: Full service labs with ophthalmic lens and RGP manufacturing capabilities. 2005 Transitions “Lab of the Year.” Transitions Platinum Elite Laboratory. Authorized Varilux distributor. VSP contract lab. Signet Armorlite partner lab. Operates on-site AR coating facility. AR branded products includes PureSite Preference. Specializes in premium 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. On-line and electronic ordering. Remote frame tracing. Member of the OLA and AR Council. 2006 and 2007 OLA Top 10 Web Site of the Year.
Web site: www.divopt.com

Essilor
Founded: 1996
HQ./Main Lab Location: Dallas, Texas
No. of Locations: 122
No. of Employees: 5,800
Key Executives: Real Goulet, president; Rick Long, senior VP Partner Labs; Mike Nathe, senior VP East division; Jim Carne senior VP West division; Brad Staley, VP operations and technologies; Bruce Scott, VP National Labs; Keith Norris, VP sales and strategic accounts.
Owner: Essilor International
Trade Names: 21st Century Optical, AccuRX Inc., ACO, Aspen Optical, Avisia, Bartley Optical, Beitler-Mckee Optical, Bell Optical, Bristow Optical, Crown Optical, Custom Eyes, Dash Lab, DBL Labs, Deschutes Optical, Duffens Optical, Dunlaw Optical, East Coast Ophthalmic, Elite Optical, ELOA New Jersey, Empire Optical, Eyecare Express, Focus Optical, Future Optical, GK Optical, Heard Optical, Homer Optical, Jorgenson Optical, Interstate Optical, Kosh Ophthalmic, Meridian Optical, MGM Optical, Midland Optical, Milroy Optical, New City Optical, Omega Optical, Omni Optical Lab, Opal-Lite, Optical One, Optical Suppliers Inc., Optical Supply, Opti-Craft, Optogenics of Syracuse, Ozarks Optical, Perferx Optical, Peninsula Optical, Personal Eyes Optical. Precision Optical Company, Precision Optics, Premier Optics, S&G Optical, Select Optical, Southern Optical, Select Optical.Southern Optical, Spectrum Optical, Sunstar Optical, Sutherlin Optical, Top Network, Tri-Supreme, Twin City Optical, Vision Craft Inc., WOS Optical
Key Markets: Local and National
2008 Est. Net Sales: $905 million
Rx Sales: $796.4 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 62,000
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 39%
Comments: Nationwide network of full-service labs. Proprietary lens products include TD2, Lite Style/Ultra Lite Style Lenses, Crizal Avance with Scotchgard. Services and programs include Stimuleye Education Series; Need Based Solutions.
Web site: www.eloa.com

Expert Optics
Founded: 1979
HQ./ Main Lab Location: Shorewood, Ill.
No. of Locations: 2
No. of Employees: 90
Key Executives: Greg Ruden, president; Don Ruden, CEO; Bob Pommier, director of lab operations; Sid Moore, director of sales; Bob Hughbanks, director of education.
Owner: Don Ruden, Greg Ruden
Trade Names: none
Key Markets: Ill., Ind., Mich., Wis.
2008 Est. Net sales: $18 million
Rx Sales: $16.7 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 917
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 20%
Comments: Additional production facility to manufacture free-form progressives including Shamir Autograph, AO Easy HD, Compact Ultra HD, SOLA HDV, SOLAOne HD, Zeiss Individual and other designs from leading lens companies. Distributor of Kodak, Shamir, Varilux and Zeiss progressives. Signet Armorlite Partner lab, Carl Zeiss Vision Premier lab, Global Optics member. Produces Teflon Clear Coat and Kodak CleAR coatings in-house; also produces Zeiss Foundation XT, Carat and Carat Advantage lens treatments. Hosts annual Optical Preview Day. Experienced ABO-certified sales force offers in-office education seminars. Offers Jumpstart training program and Web-based lens inventory management system. Distributor sales department inventories over 50 frame lines with a multitude of frame and lens package programs.

Eye Kraft Optical
Founded: 1954
HQ./Main Lab Location: Saint Cloud, Minn.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 59
Key Executives: Floyd Lehne, president; Lawrence L. Lahr, VP; Michael Moeller, treasurer
Owner: Patricia Negaard
Trade Names: Eyelight, Eyelight Poly, Sun-Lite
Key Markets: National
2008 Est. Net Sales: $5.9 million
Rx Sales: $4.7 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 585
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 7
Comments: Full-service lab, offers broad selection of lenses and frame packages; same-day/next day service at no extra charge. VSP-approved lab.
Web site: www.eyekraft.com

FEA Industries
Founded: 1984
HQ./Main Lab Location: Morton, Pa.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 51
Key Executives: William H. Heffner, Crystal Colflesh
Owner: Willliam H. Heffner
Trade Names: none
Key Markets: national
2008 Est. Net Sales: $8.1 million
Rx Sales: $8.1 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,084
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 71%
Comments: Full-service lab offering in-house AR, glass lens processing.
Web site: www.feaind.com

Hawkins Optical
Founded: 1948
HQ./Main Lab Location: Topeka, Kan.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 40
Key Executives: Kevin Bargman, president, O.R. ; “Bud” Bargman, chairman; Jim Yadon, national sales manager; Carol Michael, director of operations; Alex Yoho, education director
Owners: Kevin Bargman, Bud Bargman
Trade Names: none
Key Markets: Kansas, western Mo. northern Okla., eastern Colo.
2008 Est. Net Sales: $4.9 million
Rx Sales: $4.2 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 225
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 9%
Comments: Authorized distributor of Varilux, Crizal and Shamir lenses; also distributes most other lens products. VSP-authorized lab. Offers rimless expertise, customer education training and frame and lens package programs.

Hirsch Optical
Founded: 1978
HQ./Main Lab Location: Farmingdale, N.Y.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 62
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 corporate officers
Trade Names: CHAD and Super CHAD
Key Markets: N.Y., N.J., Conn.
2008 Est. Net Sales: $13 million
Rx Sales: $12.1 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 850
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 35%
Comments: Extensive offerings of lens and frame package programs. Offers proprietary AR coatings applied in-house: CHAD (Clear, Hard, Anti-Reflective, Durable) and premium coating Super CHAD. Same-day turnaround on most orders. 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 Partner Lab, Shamir ReCreating Perfect Vision Partnering Lab, Signet Armorlite Lab Partner, Hoya lens distributor. Authorized VSP and VBA contract lab. Vendor for Block Buying Group and Alfred. J. Villavecchia Buying Group. All Crizal, Hoya, Zeiss, glass and mirror coatings. Frame lines include Apple Bottoms By Nelly, Bill Blass, Cadillac Eyewear, Dockers, Donald J. Trump, Elizabeth Arden, Elizabeth Arden Petites, Essence Eyewear, Hershey’s Eyewear, Jill Stuart Eyewear, Levi’s, Liberty Rec Specs, Marco Polarized Sunwear, Mount Eyewear (stainless steel, titanium, polarized sport), New Balance, New Balance Kids, Nintendo, Perry Ellis, Pierre Cardin, Scooby-Doo! And Stuff By Hilary Duff. Distributes Duet Glamour Glasses, Fantom custom clip-ons, Makeup Magnifiers, Pocket Peepers, Podreaders, Tuscany and Titmus safety frames. Offers retail customer referral program.
Web site: www.hirschoptical.com

Hoya Vision Care
Founded: 2000
HQ./Main Lab Location: Lewisville, Texas
Locations: 19
Employees: 1,200
Key Executives: Barney Dougher, president/CEO; Yoshiyuki Ono, VP lens technology; Rich Montag, VP sales & marketing; Bill Harris, VP operations; Kraig Black, VP information services; Jason White, senior executive controller; Ray Knoll, Northwest regional VP; Mike Dougher, Midwest regional VP; Terry Farrell, Southwest regional VP; Iggy Fernandez, Central regional VP; Lester Thornburg, Southwest regional VP
Owner: Hoya Corporation
Trade Names: Hoya Atlanta, Hoya Bethel, Hoya Chicago, Hoya Cleveland, Hoya Dallas, Hoya Dayton, Hoya Eugene, Hoya Hartford, Hoya Knoxville (Volunteer Optical), Hoya Largo, Hoya Lewiston, Hoya Los Angeles, Hoya Modesto, Hoya New Orleans, Hoya Portland, Hoya St. Louis, Hoya San Antonio, Hoya San Diego, Hoya Seattle
Key Markets: National
2008 Est. Net Sales: $210.0 million
Rx Sales: $203.0 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 11,800
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 18%
Comments: Nationwide network of full-service labs. Proprietary lens designs: Hoyalux iD, Hoyalux iD LifeStyle, Hoyalux Summit ECP, Hoyalux Summit CD, Hoyalux GP Wide, Hoyalux GP, Hoyalux TACT, Amplitude and Amplitude Mini. Proprietary lens materials: 1.70, Eyry, 1.67 Eynoa, 1.60 Eyas, 1.53 Phoenix,1.50 Hilux and Nulux. Proprietary lens coatings: Super HiVision AR, HiVision AR, ViewProtect top coating, SunTech photochromics and Clarity Shield 2 scratch coating. Special services/programs include HHP (Hoya Honors Program).
Web site: www.hoyavision.com

Icare Labs
Founded: 1968
HQ./Main Lab Location: St. Petersburg, Fla.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 120
Key Executives: Scott Payne, chairman; Skip Payne, president; James Payne, Bradley Husted, Greg Gehrig
Owners: The Payne family
Trade Names: Icare Industries, Sea Vision USA
Key Markets: East Coast, Southwest
2008 Est. Net Sales: $20.5 million
Rx Sales: $19.5 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 2,000
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 50%
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. In process of installing in-house Crizal AR coating center. Manufactures specialized sport prescription lens products including dive masks.
Web site: www.icare.com

Katz & Klein
Founded: 1937
HQ./Main Lab Location: Sacramento, Calif.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 41
Key Executives: Mike Francesconi, Corrine Hood
Owners: Mike Francesconi, Corrine Hood
Trade Names: Your Eyes, Supreme Partnership In Eyecare (SPIE), Katz Prudent Plan
Key Markets: Northern Calif., Nev.
2008 Est. Net Sales: $6.2 million
Rx Sales: $5.7 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 410
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 24%
Comments: Produces in-house AR, including Kodak CleAR. Proprietary programs include Jumpstart, Lenstock, SPIE, Katz Lens Packages, Katz Frame Packages. Global Optics member. Offers in-house AR including Kodak CleAR.
Web site: www.katzandklein.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: SightStar, PhotoFashion, DuraCurve, Crizal, Crizal Alizé, Crizal Alizé with Clear Guard, TD2, Teflon, Advantage, Carat and Foundation XT, Kodak CleAR
Key Markets: National
2008 Est. Net Sales: $31.7 million
Rx Sales: $30.7 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,900
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 56%
Comments: Family owned and operated; offers wide range of exclusive promotions, customer incentive and educational programs. Field consultant force offers practice development, business reviews and private consultations. Specializes in processing all major brands of free-form progressive lenses. Manufactures SightStar, PhotoFashion, Varilux, Zeiss, Definity, Shamir, Indo, Kodak, Hoya, Kaenon, Seiko and DriveWear premium lenses and difficult Rxs. Offers frames, sunglasses, safety eyewear, soft contacts, low vision, and pharmaceuticals. Operates in-house AR facilities producing Crizal, Crizal Alizé, Crizal Alizé with Clear Guard, Avance with Scotchgard Protector, TD2, Teflon, Zeiss Super and Gold ET, Advantage, Carat and Foundation XT and mirror coatings and Kodak CleAR. In-house gas perm contact lens facility produces custom DuraCurve aspheric GPs. Provides advanced remote ordering with RxWizard, VisionWeb, Paradeyes and Eyefinity software via the Web. 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: 99
Key Executives: Martin Hagge, Morrie Hagge, Matt Hagge, Michael Hagge
Owner: Mary Hagge
Trade Names: None
Key Markets: National
2008 Est. Net Sales: $16.4 million
Rx Sales: $14.8 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,725
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 46%
Comments: Distributes wide range of premium lens and frame brands. Proprietary products include Nyteyez premium AR and Miraje AR, both produced in-house. Offers MJFP frame package; TFP titanium frame, lens and AR package. Distributes contact lenses. Offers AR spray, dispensing tools, cases. Offers on-line ordering and job tracking, and state-of-the-art lab program.
Web site: www.mjoptical.com

Nassau Vision Group/ Nova Optical Lab
Founded: 1939
HQ./Main Lab Location: Northvale, N.J.
No. of Locations: 10
No. of Employees: 440 (204 lab division)
Key Executives: François Bès de Berc, president, Irwin Kaufman, VP – CFO; Brian Ziegler, director of lab operations; David George, director of sales
Owner: Essilor of America
Trade Names: Nova Optical; Nassau Lens Florida, Nassau Lens Southwest; Nassau Lens Midwest; Nassau Lens Mid-Atlantic; Nassau Lens Southeast; Nassau Lens West
Key Markets: National
2008 Est. Net Sales: $82 million
Rx Sales: $28.7 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 3,000
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 85%
Comments: Leading stock lens distributor. Proprietary products include Triumph, Synergy and Synergy Crystal AR coatings, produced in-house; Shoreview, Balance lenses.
Web site: www.nassau247.com

Optical Prescription Lab
Founded: 1977
HQ./Main Lab Location: Pelham, Ala.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 27
Key Executives: Danny Pugh, president; Sherry Pugh, vice president
Owners: Danny Pugh, Sherry Pugh
Trade Names: none
Key Markets: Ala., Tenn., Miss., Ga., Fla.
2008 Est. Net Sales: $5.8 million
Rx Sales: $5.5 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 330
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 35%
Comments: Distributes Varilux, Crizal, Transitions, Hilco. Special services and programs include in-house Crizal AR; 24-hour service; Advantage program.
Web site: www.opticalprescriptionlab.com

Pech Optical
Founded: 1989
HQ./ Main Lab of Operations: Sioux City, Iowa
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 275
Key Executives: Robert W. Pech, Doug Pech, Paul Massey, Gerald Koolstra, LuAnn Mosier, Mike Estes, Gary Pech, Karen Lindberg
Owners: Robert W. Pech, Doug Pech
Trade Names: Pech Optical, POC, Safari Mirror Coatings, EZ-C, Tuff AR, Lusso frames
Key Markets: National
2008 Est. Net Sales: $37.0 million
Rx Sales: $35.9 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 2,150
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 30%
Comments: Full-service laboratory. Accept orders through Rx Wizard. In-house AR facilities; kids package program, frame package programs, Direct-Rx frame inventory control program, safety program, gift and travel program; specialized sun/sport 8 base wraps; freeform technology; proprietary products include Freeform Autograph, Seiko Succeed, Sun Sport Division. Offers Cool Silver, Cool Blue, Cool Gold mirror coatings, in-house Safari mirror coatings; ABO-accredited seminars, webinars, staff training and office design; in-house marketing department; in-house quality assurance team; approved for VSP, VCP, and VBA.
Web site: www.pechoptical.com

Perfect Optics
Founded: 2006
HQ./Main Lab Location: San Diego, Calif.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 45
Key Executives: Matt Schmidt-Wetekam, Warren Meyer, Sabine Rentchar, Adam Winkelman, Tom Brophy, Vision Service Plan, Carl Zeiss Vision
Owners: Matt Schmidt-Wetekam, managing partner; Warren Meyer, managing partner; Sabine Rentchar, director of operations and technology; Adam Winkelman, director of sales and marketing; Tom Brophy, director of operations
Trade Names: Perfection
Key Markets: California and Southwest
2008 Est. Net Sales: $6.0 million
Rx Sales: $6.0 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 300
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 15%
Comments: Proprietary products include Perfection digital PAL; Reveal digital PAL from VSP. Manufactures all digital progressives from Zeiss, SOLA and Shamir Insight. Specializes in sunglass Rxs made with MEI technology. Offers Perfect Academy educational event.
Web site: www.perfectopticslab.com

Precision Optical Group
Founded: 1992
HQ./Main Lab Location: Creston, Iowa
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 90
Key Executives: Deb Larson, Holly Ferber, Jan Ekeler, Judy Hodge, Lance Christensen, Nicki McDowell, Shannon Waigand, Matt Somers, Mike Tamerius
Owner: Mike Tamerius, Matt Somers
Trade Names: None
Key Markets: National, Canada
2008 Est. Net Sales: $13.5 million
Rx Sales: $11.5 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,200
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 60%
Comments: Full service lab, offering low pricing and same day service. Markets low cost, house brand progressives. Distributes semi-finished blanks and lab supplies to other wholesalers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Offers Crizal, Crizal Alize, Teflon and in house Zeiss AR coatings.  VSP, VBA and VCP authorized.  Extensive frame and lens package programs. Custom safety programs offered through ECPs. Online orders accepted via Vision Web, Eyefinity and Precision Direct, plus phone/fax service.
Web site: http://www.precisionopticalgroup.com/

Rite-Style Optical
Founded: 1948
HQ./Main Lab Location: Omaha, Neb.
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 105
Key Executives: George Lee, CEO; Larry Lee, president
Owner: George Lee and the Lee family
Trade Names: EZ-Clean (Xzilion)
Key Markets: National
2008 Est. Net Sales: $17.0 million
Rx Sales: $16.1 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,027
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 32%
Comments: Independent industry leader in freeform technology, featuring in-house production of all Shamir Autograph II products. Zeiss and KodakCleAR coatings also produced in-house with fast turnaround times. Online ordering, lens tracing and job status tracking offered. Affiliations include Eyefinity/VSP, Vision Source, Vision Web and Red Tray Optical. RSO Safety Rx Division covers corporate accounts nationally as well as safety programs for independent ECPs. RSO’s Jumpstart training CDs offer ABO-certified modules for in-office education and training.
Web site: www.ritestyle.com

Robertson Optical Laboratories
Founded: 1957
HQ./ Main Lab of Operations: Loganville, Ga.
No. of Locations: 3
No. of Employees: 110
Key Executives: Owners and Glenn Hollingsworth, dir. of lab operations
Owners: Calvin W. Robertson, Jr., Richard L. Robertson, Gordon 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.
2008 Est. Net Sales: $16.2 million
Rx Sales: $15.4 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,450
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 26%
Comments: Full service labs servicing southeast for 50 Years with new lens products and new technologies. Two on-site AR coating facilities providing AR1, Duralux, Teflon, Zeiss, and Kodak AR. Distributes Zeiss , Signet Armorlite, Shamir, Vision Ease, Younger and other major lens brands. Offers free-form technology lenses. Approved VSP, VBA, VCP contract labs. Offers frame and lens packages, specializing in three-piece mounts. Vera Bradley and Sydney Love frame distributors. Member Vision 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: 44
Key Executives: Danna Dahl, Stephanie Bryan, Valerie Smith, Gary Floyd and Kristi Roberson, Bob Paxton
Owners: Robert Dahl, Tom Mitchell
Trade Names: none
Key Markets: Texas, La., Okla.
2008 Est. Net Sales: $5 million
Rx Sales: $4.7 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 370
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 30%
Comments: Offers broad selection of lenses including Varilux, Signet Armorlite, Zeiss, AO/SOLA, Rodenstock. Offers Zeiss AR, Foundation, Kodak CleAR. VSP contract lab. Offers VisionWeb on-line ordering.
Web site: www.southwestlens.com

Three Rivers Optical
Founded: 1969
HQ./ Main Lab Location: Pittsburgh
No. of Locations: 1
No. of Employees: 72
Key Executives: Mary Ann Zappas, Joe Seibert, Steve Seibert
Owner: Seibert Family
Trade names: none
Key Markets: Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, Northeast
2008 Est. Net Sales: $20.1 million
Rx Sales: $19.1 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 1,750
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 55%
Comments: Operates in-house AR coating facility; offers major lens brands including Varilux, Zeiss, Crizal, Kodak, Transitions. Manufactures Shamir Freeform progressive lenses. Produces proprietary TR O Seg bifocal polycarbonate in Transitions and TR O Blended Seg. Offers private label Discovery brand progressive lens. Primary frame 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: 55
Key Executives: Irland Tashima, Jeffrey Szymanski, Robert Lommerse, Brian Green
Owners: Kadowaki, Tashima and Green families
Trade Names: Toledo Optical, Toledo Optical Lab
Key Markets: Midwest
2008 Est. Net Sales: $9 million
Rx Sales: $8.5 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 530
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 10%
Comments: Dedicated sales force; offers extensive training and education programs, exclusive practice-building initiatives such as STRATA. Offers exclusive in-house ACCLARO AR lens process. Distributes Varilux, Shamir, Signet Armorlite and Zeiss lenses. Williams Group certified sales consultants, Transitions Lab of the Year 2003 and 2006, Top Three finalist for Transitions Lab of the Year 2003, 2006. Top Three Finalist for Transitions Lab of the Year 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and VSP’s People First Lab Award Winner 2005.
Web site: www.toldeooptical.com

VSP Optical Laboratories
Founded: 1972
HQ./Main Lab Location: Sacramento, Calif.
No. of Locations: 4
No. of Employees: 330
Key Executives: William Conner, president; Jack Banville, managing director, Sacramento; Dennis Benedict, director, Legends 4.0; Swen Carlson, director, Columbus; Edward Morris, director, national sales and marketing; Danny Singer, director, Ultra Optics
Owner: Vision Service Plan
Trade Names: VSP Lab—Sacramento, VSP Lab—Columbus
Key Markets: National
2008 Est. Net Sales: $72 million
Rx Sales: $68.4 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 4,500
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 15%
Comments: Special programs include Service Guarantee. Produces on-site AR, including Crizal, Teflon and proprietary Acuity Plus Platinum XP, Clearview Ultra and Ultra CleAR Luminous AR coatings. Distributes Varilux, Hoya, Transitions Carl Zeiss Vision, Rodenstock, Shamir, Seiko-Pentax, Signet Armorlite Vision-Ease and Younger lenses, and proprietary Reveal progressive lenses.
Web site: www.vsplab.com

Walman Optical Company
Founded: 1915
HQ./Main Lab Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.
No. of Locations: 32
No. of Employees: 840
Key Executives: Marty Bassett president/CEO; Charles Pillsbury, executive VP; Doug Schlauderaff, executive VP; Craig Giles executive VP; John Anderson VP.
Owner: Employee-owned
Trade Names: Walman Optical, Soderberg Optical, Walman Soderberg Instruments, X-Cel Contacts, ImageWear, Ultra Optics, ADO Buying Group, Preferred Select Buying Group.
Key Markets: National
2008 Est. Net Sales: $220 million
Rx Sales: $94.6 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 6,500
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 20%
Comments: Two on-site A-R coating facilities provide Essilor Crizal, Teflon and Zeiss Carat AR; offers Remo, Eyefinity and VisionWeb on-line ordering; Walman University educational seminars; industry’s largest independent sales force. Proprietary products include Stepper Eyewear, Wiggles and Wildflower frames, Trusted Partners, ProLens premium lens packaging, Way Cool Frame Cool, Valuline, MyTee-Lite lenses, Soderberg MaximEyes, Passport to Earnings, Ultimate Rewards, Partners for Growth Seminars and Be Young Be U programs. 2007 Transitions Lab of the Year.
Web site: www.walman.com, www.soseyes.com

Winchester Optical
Founded: 1902
HQ./Main Lab Location: Elmira, N.Y.
No. of Locations: 2
No. of Employees: 80
Key Executives: Ben Lynch, president; Brian Lynch, VP, general manager.; Mike Lynch, VP, manager
Owner: Lynch family
Trade Names: LUXAR
Key Markets: N.Y., Pa., N.J.
2008 Est. Net Sales: $10.6 million
Rx Sales: $9.6 million
No. of Rx Jobs/Day: 700
Percentage of Uncut Jobs: 23%
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. ■