Seeking Independant Wholesale Optical Lab

**2040** · 07-24-2015, 03:23 AM

Hi,

We are seeking an Independent Wholesale Optical Lab with reasonable prices.
Could be from US, Europe, Asia with good quality.
Would anyone kindly suggest us some labs.

Thanks

**Craig** · 07-24-2015, 06:47 AM

Why an independent? They all sell out once we make them large enough for them to be bought out.
I have had it happen 3 times and then gave up worrying about who owns the place but what can they do for my business.

**AngeHamm** · 07-24-2015, 10:10 AM

^ ^ ^ +1

**2040** · 07-24-2015, 02:37 PM

Hi Craig,

We fully agree with your remarks as we ourselves were involved in founding a lab, ardently served them for more than a quarter of our life, till finally, they were sold out to one of the Big Guys.

Thereafter, being used in a family atmosphere, for several years, we could not survive too long in the cooperate world - finally we succumbed to health issues and we had to part ways to seek fortune in another direction.

We sincerely trust that there are still a few professional labs out there which prefer to be independent despite the pressure from the Big Guys and we sincerely wish them best of success.

-The most important reason why we are seeking an independent lab is because of the service and dedication they provide. The people who belong to the Big Guys do not have value for their customers - this is our experience - as we have noted it from the same lab that we had founded and the previous one that we worked for (both belonging to the Big Guys now).
-The Second reason is that the independent labs carry their private designs which are not common in the market like the ones of the Big Guys - therefore, we do not have parallel competition in the market place.
-The independent labs are also much more quality conscious.
-Flexibility is another key factor.
-In some cases, the independent labs would provide you price advantage as well.
-Lastly, in order to stay apart from the tough competition, the independent labs also try hard to offer some products/services that the Big Guys may not even take time to investigate.

Kindly excuse us if anyone finds anything above to be absurd. It's our personal opinion resulting from our personal experiences.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Craig

Why an independent? They all sell out once we make them large enough for them to be bought out.
I have had it happen 3 times and then gave up worrying about who owns the place but what can they do for my business.

**scriptfiller** · 07-24-2015, 03:04 PM

US Optical is pretty impressive. Optogenics still is a good/great lab but they were awesome when the Cotrans owned to place.

**Boldt** · 07-24-2015, 03:23 PM

+1 On US Optical, I wish I could use them more. Three Rivers and Robertson are great also.

**Craig** · 07-25-2015, 07:11 AM

Just remember that independence is only temporary if the lab offers any Varilux or Crizal products! They can only sell the business to E or they loose the right to offer the products of E.
So really E already has complete control of the destiny of any facility that offers the Varilux products or has a Crizal machine.

E loans the lab the money to put in Crizal and the story is complete domination that is getting worse. This actually points out the failure of the rest and the success of E to be the top dog while all offering essentially the same exact products.

The only one who cares about the brand of lens or coating is the optical folks; real consumers could care less and always have.

**bulldoug** · 07-25-2015, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by 2040

Hi,

We are seeking an Independent Wholesale Optical Lab with reasonable prices.
Could be from US, Europe, Asia with good quality.
Would anyone kindly suggest us some labs.

Thanks

You must try FEA IND. They are simply the best quality with the best prices.

**2040** · 07-25-2015, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by bulldoug

You must try FEA IND. They are simply the best quality with the best prices.

Hey Bulldoug,

Appreciate your reply.
However, FEA has some product range of one of the biggest brands in US which now belongs to the Big Guys - so where's independence - (that was possibly one of the biggest loss for independence in the optical world - at least in the US).

**2040** · 07-25-2015, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by Craig

Just remember that independence is only temporary if the lab offers any Varilux or Crizal products! They can only sell the business to E or they loose the right to offer the products of E.
So really E already has complete control of the destiny of any facility that offers the Varilux products or has a Crizal machine.

E loans the lab the money to put in Crizal and the story is complete domination that is getting worse. This actually points out the failure of the rest and the success of E to be the top dog while all offering essentially the same exact products.

The only one who cares about the brand of lens or coating is the optical folks; real consumers could care less and always have.

Hi Craig,
Best of luck to you with E.
We just wish to be something different and we trust that we can do it.
Most importantly E is not A (A=Almighty).
Who cares about E when: A>E.
In our personal experience, "E" almost killed us and "A" is saving us till today -most importantly- we are getting better day by day.
So thanks to "A" and F=Forget "E" - we don't need them when "A" is all around us - we will survive and we will live.

**colem84** · 07-29-2015, 12:26 PM

+1 for US Optical. They are fast and inexpensive compared to others. Not sure about shipping to Asia, though.

**bernster1** · 07-29-2015, 03:12 PM

Family owned and operated for over 40 years Expert Optical 1-800-892-0097

**Optimonte** · 07-30-2015, 01:17 PM

Luzerne Optical Lab Started using them last year when my family owned independent lab was sold to larger company. Very happy thus far

**Dave E** · 07-30-2015, 04:42 PM

+1

Originally Posted by bernster1

Family owned and operated for over 40 years Expert Optical 1-800-892-0097

**2040** · 07-31-2015, 01:41 PM

Hi Bernster,

Thanks so much for your input.
Beg your pardon, is it Expert Optical or Expert Optics, because when I could not find Expert Optical in google search.
Do you by any chance have their email ID.

Thanks again.

Originally Posted by bernster1

Family owned and operated for over 40 years Expert Optical 1-800-892-0097

**eyeopt** · 08-03-2015, 05:54 PM

Hi 2040,
It is Expert Optics, Inc. 1-800-892-0097. A family owned independent lab since 1979. If you would like to email the President himself it would be gregruden@expertoptics.net He is always willing to talk with the ECPs.

**2040** · 08-04-2015, 06:00 AM

Hi EyeOpt,

Thanks for your input.
We will get in touch with Mr. Ruden.

Best regards

Originally Posted by eyeopt

Hi 2040,
It is Expert Optics, Inc. 1-800-892-0097. A family owned independent lab since 1979. If you would like to email the President himself it would be gregruden@expertoptics.net He is always willing to talk with the ECPs.

**sharpstick777** · 08-06-2015, 12:30 PM

We are in Seattle WA if your interested.... If you are more specific in your needs I may be able to help you match up with a US lab (Coatings, brands, Free-form choices etc) can all have impact. I will pm you.

**2040** · 08-09-2015, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by sharpstick777

We are in Seattle WA if your interested.... If you are more specific in your needs I may be able to help you match up with a US lab (Coatings, brands, Free-form choices etc) can all have impact. I will pm you.

Hi,
Thanks.
We are basically seeking FF PALs & SV from 1.50 to 1.74 indices.
Coatings would be Super Hydrophobic & Mirrors as well.
Kindly assist us as best as you can.
You may also email us directly to sumolens@gmail.com
Thanks again.