BALESTER NAMED 2008 U.S. TRANSITIONS LAB OF THE YEAR
Lab Recognized for Successful Marketing and Education Initiatives
ORLANDO, Jan. 29, 2009 – Transitions Optical, Inc. has named Balester Optical the 2008 U.S. Transitions Lab of the Year – celebrating the lab’s year-long achievement of growing its business with Transitions® lenses. The prestigious award was presented at a recognition ceremony held during the 13th annual Transitions Academy at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort in Orlando on Jan. 27. The ceremony was attended by an international audience of more than 1,400 industry professionals.

Headquartered in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Balester is a long-time supporter of Transitions lenses – also earning the Lab of the Year distinction in 1998. Throughout 2008, Balester incorporated Transitions in every message it offered to its customers, including major promotional and educational initiatives. The lab’s hard work paid off, resulting in a 12 percent increase in sales of Transitions lenses over 2007.
“We look to our Lab of the Year winners to not only make Transitions a part of everything they do, but to truly understand the Transitions brand and, in turn, help their customers grow their businesses as well,” said Brian Hauser, director, lens manufacturer and trade channel sales, Transitions. “Balester has been a true partner in spreading their healthy sight message and has set a new standard with their strong educational programs. We congratulate Balester for their accomplishments in 2008 and look forward to continuing our partnership in 2009.”

Dale Parmenteri, vice president, Balester, accepted the award on behalf of the lab – dedicating it to Fritz Balester, former president and chairmen of the lab, who passed away in January.

“For more than a decade, we’ve been striving to win the Transitions Lab of the Year award for a second time. We’ve always been huge supporters of Transitions lenses, but knew we needed to step up our game even more to win the title in 2008,” said Parmenteri. “We’ve had a lot of success with Transitions lenses – in part because it’s a great product, but also because it’s an integral part of everything we do. Our growth is a result of all of our programs and a true team effort, and we thank everyone at Balester and Transitions for their continued support.”

Practice management education was a main focus for Balester. In addition to extensive internal training, the lab presented Transitions Optical’s Learn and Earn modules to eyecare professionals throughout 2008. Balester felt so strongly about providing this level of education to its customers that the lab even made Transitions Learn and Earns a mandatory part of its incentive program – encouraging each of its representatives to conduct at least one Transitions module a week. Additionally, all of Balester’s representatives are American Board of Opticianry (ABO)-certified speakers.

Balester also participated in all of Transitions Optical’s programs and promotions in 2008, offering several unique promotions of its own to its customers. One of the most successful promotions was the Dispenser Award Program. In place for more than a decade, it gives eyecare professionals a chance to earn points toward a wide selection of products with each Transitions order. In addition to promotions, Balester made Transitions a key part of its packages and positioned Transitions lenses with an anti-reflective coating as the ideal primary pair of eyewear.

Finalists for the 2008 U.S. Transitions Lab of the Year award also included Optical Prescription Lab, Pelham, Ala., and Soderberg Ophthalmic Services, Minneapolis, Minn. During the recognition ceremony, Transitions named the winners of the sixth annual Lab of the Year award in Brazil – Ceprolab – and Latin America – Centro Integral Óptico. Transitions also announced that a Lab of the Year program will be implemented for Europe beginning in 2009, with the first annual winner announced during the 2010 Transitions Academy.

About the Transitions Lab of the Year Award
Awarded annually in the U.S. since 1991, the Transitions Lab of the Year title is presented to a Transitions Optical STAR Lab that has made a significant commitment to growing its business with Transitions lenses. Nominees are judged on their creative approaches used to achieve success for their business and their customers. Criteria include implementing creative marketing strategies; achieving a solid percentage of growth in volume and Transitions lenses market share mix; dedication to educating staff and customers; and showing an overall commitment to Transitions products and programs.
The 2008 U.S. Transitions Lab of the Year winner, along with past Lab of the Year winners, will be inducted into the new Heritage Lab Ambassador’s Club. The program builds upon the perks that are already available through the Transitions STAR Lab Program, and includes providing each of the Heritage labs with an extensive and customized strategic business plan for the year, along with marketing and event access for them and their customers.
Past Transitions Lab of the Year winners in the United States include: Soderberg Ophthalmic Services (2007); Toledo Optical (2006); Diversified Ophthalmics (2005); Jorgenson Optical Supply (2004); Toledo Optical (2003); 21st Century Optics (2002); Soderberg Ophthalmic Services (2001); Midland Optical (2000); McLeod Optical (1999); Balester Optical (1998); Walman Optical (1997); Three Rivers Optical (1996); Duffens Optical (1995); Benedict Optical (1994); Southern Optical (1993); Optical Supply, Inc. (1992) and W.O.S. (1991).