Archive : Industry Info

iCoat Company, one of the largest independent full service optical lab in the nation, has partnered with C&E Vision. Under this agreement, C&E members will receive an exclusive discount from iCoat Company off published iCoat price list. “iCoat Company is extremely proud to announce its partnership with C&E Vision Buying Group. iCoat is also very excited to offer C&E members our premium lens and coating products and services at a special discounted price.” says Tom Pfeiffer, Director of Sales and Marketing. “With iCoat Company, C&E members have lens vendor independence and can order virtually any lens in the market combined with premium iCoat coating technologies to deliver top quality eyewear to their patients.” Along with the discounted special prices, C&E member can also save by participating in promotional programs and offers. About iCoat iCoat Company is all about “Making Lenses Better”. By employing proprietary precision engineered coating products and quality services, iCoat turns ordinary optical lenses into high performance eyewear, everyday. Whether it’s our premium customized digitally surfaced lenses, lenses with our super-oleophobic...

OCuSOFT, Inc., a research, development and supply company specializing in eye and skin care is pleased to announce the introduction of Zoria™ Boost™ Lash Intensifying Serum, the first innovation in its new line of cosmetic products for sensitive eyes. Zoria™ Boost™ will be offered through OCuSOFT®’s new Skin Care Division and may be ordered through OCuSOFT®’s traditional toll free Customer Service number, online or from local OCuSOFT® Representatives. Utilizing patented polypeptide technology developed by ophthalmologist and biochemist, Lili Fan M.D., Zoria™ Boost™ naturally enhances and supports the eyelash growth cycle for dramatically longer, fuller and darker looking eyelashes. Lili Fan, M.D. is a visionary scientist and entrepreneur with achievements in business and science that include practice as an ophthalmologist while also holding numerous patents for polymeric and oligomeric biosurfactants. Zoria™ Boost™ is a clinically proven, drug-free formula that is non-irritating and delivers noticeable results without the potential side effects associated with other lash-enhancement products. It is safe for contact lens wearers and ideal for those with sensitive...

HOYA Vision Care announced the creation of the “HOYA Learning Center” with new positions added to support the growing needs of Independent Eye Care Professionals. Customer needs are ever evolving and the HOYA Learning Center at the outset will address four specific needs – technical & medical education, practice development, new media optics, and dispensing. “Everyday I talk to our customers and I see the need to provide more specific expertise,” said Barney Dougher, President of HOYA Vision Care, NA., “For independent practices to be successful they need to have a ‘go-to’ person that can be a definitive resource. The technology combined with the business climate has gotten so complex the average practice can’t keep up. Regardless of your level of expertise in a particular area, HOYA is now the place you can turn to for the right answer.” The mission for the HOYA Learning Center is to help Independent Eye Care Professionals of all experience levels have access to the information they need to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly shifting and ultra-competitive market. Complimentary training will be available in multiple formats including, in-person, instructor-led...

Itʼs estimated that 40,000 Americans receive eye injuries while participating in sports every year. This is a sobering statistic, especially considering that studies have shown that 90% of eye injuries could have been prevented simply by wearing protective eyewear. These are just some of the reasons why Wiley X, Inc. continues to support Sports Eye Safety Month, an annual effort each April to educate and inform the American public about the dangers of sports related eye injuries and the proper use of protective eyewear. “The fact of the matter is, your eyes are at risk anytime you participate in sports — on the field, on the court or in the outdoors,” said Wiley X Co-Owner Myles Freeman, “Even sports not normally considered ʻdangerousʼ — such as tennis, soccer or golf — can result in serious injury if protective eyewear isnʼt worn. And outdoor activities like mountain biking, skateboarding and beach volleyball pose their own unique risks to eye health. The risks to oneʼs eyes may be varied, but the solution is the same — wear protective glasses to protect your precious gift of vision,” added Freeman. Fortunately, sports enthusiasts today have a variety of premium...

                The McGee Group was honored to receive the Vision Choice Award for Best New Product exhibited at Vision Expo East. The Badgley Mischka eyewear and sunwear collections were on display throughout the show in the New Product Gallery, and attendees voted for their favorite new product. We are thankful for this honor, and proud to translate Badgley Mischka’s signature runway looks into romantic, feminine eyewear. For more information visit www.mcgeegroup.com

ClearVision Optical announces the release of its 2nd annual brand brochure, InSight magazine.  Providing an in depth look into each of ClearVision’s 11 eyewear brands, InSight highlights the creative inspiration behind each collection, showcasing a selection of 2013 product releases through trends that relate to each brand.    Through its reader-friendly, magazine-style layout, InSight provides a glance at each brand, illustrating the synergy between the brand and the optical and sun collections. Each brand is represented in its own two-page spread, including details on brand positioning, design inspiration and collection features, as well as demographic details.  With an emphasis on color, beautiful product photography and model imagery are used to further convey each brand “story.”   “InSight combines editorial and pictorial content to present our wide array of brands to potential customers,” says Sheila Haile, ClearVision’s Marketing and Creative Services Manager. “The magazine provides “insight” into each brand, hence the name, including design strategies developed specifically for each brand’s demographic.  It also highlights specific trends infused...

John Varvatos celebrated the 10th Annual Stuart House Benefit, presented by Chrysler, at his Los Angeles boutique. The March 10th event, hosted by Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck, took over Melrose Avenue at Robertson at the heart of West Hollywood and raised more than $900,000 for Stuart House – UCLA’s internationally recognized model program serving sexually abused children. The event’s emcee, Bill Belamy, hosted the live auction followed by a performance by Steven Tyler & Joe Perry of Aerosmith with special guest Slash. Among the guests to arrive in John Varvatos eyewear were Jeremy Piven, Joe Manganiello, Cindy Crawford & Rande Gerber, Alice Cooper, David Schwimmer, Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner, Kevin Nealon, Vincent Piazza & more. For more information about Stuart House and to learn how you can help please visit http://www.911rape.org. About John Varvatos: Launched in 2000 with a collection of tailored clothing and sportswear, John Varvatos now represents an entire men’s lifestyle that includes footwear, bags, belts, eyewear, limited edition watches, men’s fragrances, as well as the younger, edgier John Varvatos USA Collection and Converse...

Legacie is excited to introduce a new Betsey Johnson group – the Lights, Camera, Action group. Betsey’s love of old Hollywood glam style serves as the inspiration behind the Lights, Camera, Action group. Glitter detailing is the hallmark of this group – temples are decked out in glitter laminated over a variety of new custom pastel colors. Frames shapes are clean and modern for a nice juxtaposition of funky styling and wearability. Geek-chic style Tinseltown (BJ 144) features a metal frame front and acetate temples decked in glitter lamination. This optical frame brings new color variations, including blush, black/ teal, and cream. Paparazzi (BJ 143), a subtle cat-eye, boast glitter-laminated detailing throughout. For more information visit www.legacie.com

Match Eyewear today announced that Sam Herskowitz has assumed the position of Chief Operating Officer. Herskowitz brings more than 20 years of vision care industry experience to the Match Eyewear team. Prior to joining Match, Mr. Herskowitz spent 17 years at Emerging Vision, Inc. where he recently served as President of both the Combine Buying Group in the United States and The Optical Group in Canada.  Before that, as the President of the Retail Franchise Division, Herskowitz led both the Sterling Optical and Site for Sore Eyes franchise groups from 2007 to 2010.  Other posts held during his tenure included Chief Operating Officer, Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Marketing for Sterling Optical. “Our continued growth and success provides the opportunity to expand our team with some of this industry’s top talent. For me personally, it is exciting to add a real thinker to our team, someone who will prioritize internally from understanding our customers’ perspectives, a concept fundamental to our success” said Jonathan Pratt, Match Eyewear CEO. “Sam is a seasoned professional our sales executives can count on to keep the machine running smoothly. I couldn’t...

As usual, the eyes of NASCAR fans around the world were on Daytona International Speedway this past weekend, as the best drivers on Earth went fender-to-fender in an effort to win this prestigious race and put themselves in a solid position to chase the Sprint Cup during 2013. When it was all said and done and the checkered flag had fallen, Wiley X®, Inc.ʼs team of sponsored NASCAR drivers competed hard and made a strong showing. Five Wiley X drivers cracked the Top 25 in this highly competitive race, including Greg Biffle of Roush Fenway Racing in 6th Place, Michael McDowell of Curb Racing in 9th Place, Aric Almirola of Richard Petty Motorsports in 13th, Joey Logano of Penske Racing in 19th and BK Racingʼs Travis Kvapil in 25th. Joe Gibbs Racingʼs Matt Kenseth — also sponsored by Wiley X and winner of the 2012 Daytona 500 — led the race for 86 laps before engine trouble forced him out. Other positive Wiley X news from the oval in Daytona Beach, Florida included Ron Hornadyʼs 3rd Place finish in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race, and a down-to-the-wire 2nd Place finish in the UNOH Battle at the Beach NASCAR K&N Pro Series race by Gray Gaulding, a 14-year-old racing...

Marchon Eyewear has launched a new sales division that will solely focus on servicing the sporting goods sector in EMEA, including action sports, general sports and lifestyle retail. Known as Marchon Sports EMEA, the product portfolio will consist of performance and lifestyle sunglasses, and snow goggles, for Nike Vision; and action sports sunglasses, snow goggles and MX goggles for Dragon Alliance. The young, dynamic team will be headed up by Gunther Herrmann, who has over 20 years’ experience in sporting goods distribution, and has held several senior positions within Marchon. To support growth in EMEA, Craig Smith will become the EMEA Sales & Marketing Manager for Dragon. With 11 years’ experience in the action sports industry, Craig has worked as Dragon’s UK brand development manager for the past 6 years. In addition, Eric Brendel will be joining the team as the EMEA Sales & Marketing manager for Nike Vision in the sporting goods channel. He has 12 years’ experience in the action sports and sporting goods channel. The team will work closely with the Nike Vision team at the Marchon Global Headquarters in New York, as well as with JC Clenet who oversees...

The hugely popular 20/20 Continuing Education course titled “Frame Design and Development: Looking Beyond Logos and Markings” will be taught live at Vision Expo East 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Friday March 15. Registration is now open at www.VisionExpoEast.com. Since the launch of the online educational opportunity, more than 3,200 individuals have successfully completed the course receiving credit from the American Board of Opticianry – more than any other 20/20 Continuing Education course to date. Mike Hundert, REM Eyewear CEO and Chief Creative Officer collaborated with Nico Roseillier, REM Eyewear Creative Director, to design the course so participants have the opportunity to explore today’s eyewear manufacturing dynamics.  From country of origin to methods and materials, students gain a better understanding of how to evaluate eyewear and best describe quality to patients. Hundert offers students an in-depth view of manufacturing, acquired through three decades of hands-on experience working with factories around the world.  Course participants benefit from Hundert’s wisdom, gaining knowledge usually only accessible with a passport and years of meticulous research. Roseillier...

Match Eyewear announces the official relocation of their corporate headquarters to a larger, newly renovated facility in Westbury, NY. The new offices, located on Shames Drive in Westbury, NY, are over four times the size of Match’s previous location in Mineola, providing a widely expanded warehouse and distribution center, administrative offices, IT department, product development and marketing departments.  ‘Fortunately, we continue to grow on a steady basis, making this move an absolute necessity,’ says Ethan Goodman, President of Match Eyewear.  ‘Our new headquarters will allow us to maintain the high level of customer service that our merchant partners have come to expect from Match.’ The interior of the building was completely renovated prior to the move, including the design and construction of a custom state-of-the-art warehouse.  ‘The renovation was a huge undertaking, but we are thrilled with the results.  Providing our employees with a comfortable and professional space is a priority,’ Goodman continues.  ‘We are always concerned that our staff is happy and safe.’ Match Eyewear looks forward to 2013 with no plans to slow down.  ‘This move represents...

Value eyewear leader, Modern Optical International, recently honored four of its top employees for 35+ years of service with the company. Modern Optical created a unique way to honor four of its top employees by hanging championship-style, commemorative banners at the company’s headquarters. Yale Weissman (Founder and Chairman of the Board), Steve Kaplan (Midwest Territory Manager), Dolly Zito (Administrative Manager) and Fred Zola (West Coast Territory Manager) have each been with Modern Optical for at least 35 years. Modern wanted to recognize their loyalty and contributions to the company’s success in a way that would serve as an inspiration to their fellow employees. In a celebratory atmosphere, the banners were ceremoniously unveiled to the Chicago Bulls theme song, a very familiar tune for Modern Optical, a suburban Chicago company. Each banner listed the employee’s name, employment anniversary year and the words “Quality, Loyalty, Commitment”.  The banner for Yale Weissman, who started the company in 1974, also included the word “Visionary”.  Unrolled with applause and a great sense of pride by fellow employees and family members, these banners are now a permanent...

Essilor of America, the nation’s leading manufacturer of optical lenses, today announced the addition of new courses to ECP University®, an organization designed to help doctors, eye care practice owners and managers grow their practices by providing education solutions through in-person training, distance learning, and online training. The new courses offer comprehensive training for front desk professionals at eye care practices. Based on customer feedback, Essilor’s education department and the ECP University team conducted extensive market research to determine the competencies required for running an efficient and organized front office. These core competencies were then used to create 8 hours of e-learning courses which include topics such as managing patient appointments, record keeping and reporting, managing patient issues, telephone etiquette, managing vendor appointments, explaining insurance to patients and tracking insurance claims. “Whether on the phone or in-person, front desk staff members are the first and last encounter patients have with an eyecare practice,” said Howard Purcell, O.D., F.A.A.O., senior vice president of customer development, Essilor of...