Products & ideas for the laboratory professional.
Issue link: https://opticallabproducts.epubxp.com/i/442985
FEATURE LENS ADD-ONS 14 january 2015 opticallabproducts.com sense to offer them like this at perhaps a more attractive price than if they were separate," he notes. Another way to increase profts on lens add-ons and enhancements, specifcally with the more intensive processing like AR coatings and mirror coatings, is to make an investment in coating equipment. This allows a lab to create an in-house private label brand of AR coating which has the potential to be very proftable for optical labs, primarily because of lower manufacturing costs. In-house private label coating enables labs to control the quality and service levels of the various coatings offered, which can build both a solid reputation and conf- dence in the product. Manufactur- ing in-house can help lower costs, increase proft margins, and generate higher overall revenue. It can also potentially reduce delivery times, thereby increasing customer satisfaction. PRIVATE LABEL PROFITS Ronald Cooke, director of sales at Leybold Optics USA, Inc. (which this month begins operating under the Buhler brand), suggests, "Customers can utilize the Leybold AR processes on our machine as their 'private label' coatings which can be extremely proftable. In addition, we offer most of the branded products on our machines so labs can produce Essilor, Carl Zeiss, and other brands of AR coatings which are also proftable." A&R; Optical Machinery, Inc. 262-641-8780 arom @ ar.be www.ar.be Paul Faibish President, Plastic Plus WE'LL NEVER GO BACK TO MANUAL INSPECTION " " A&R; AutoMapper > " Close to 1,000 jobs come through our lab per day. Upgrading to the A&R; AutoMapper now lets us digitally process, map and verify every prescription that comes through. It gives us a controlled check out and reduces labor costs. Also, our returns have dropped dramatically. In addition, we use the A&R; Focovision SPF-2 to inspect all fi nished lenses mounted in frames, and their Lens Inkers to mark all progressives after AR coating." To grow the number of AR coatings, photo- chromics, and Rx sun at the lab level, Essilor has been investing in efforts for years.