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RUNDOWN NEWS AUGEN'S OUTREACH TO KIDS In a pro-bono initiative, Augen Optics this year expects to complete 320,000 pairs of eyeglasses for children aged 6 to 15 at public schools in Mexico. The project, to enable children to see better to learn better, is called "Ver Bien Para Aprender Bien" and is funded by a non-profit organization. Augen's collaboration with the program began three years ago and it sends opticians with laptops into schools to test childrens' eyesight. The optician carries out an eye exam and then, while still in the classroom, can place an order online at Augen's Web site. If a child needs glasses, Augen gives them a pair from its Vigeo children's eyewear line which is made out of sturdy grilamid TR-90 using 1.5 hard resin material. "Kids can choose new, hip colors and pick out the shape of the frame," said Patricia Machado, Augen's vice president of business development. "Each pair comes with a case, a cleaning cloth, and a one-year warranty." Jobs are processed centrally in one of Augen's labs dedicated to the foundation in Mexico. The lab processes all the orders and ships the packages directly to schools. A NEW LENS SUPPLIER OPENS A DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN TAMPA Techtran Lenses, which is fully owned by Techtran Ophthalmics Ltd. (TPL), has established a distribution center in Tampa, FL. Techtran Lenses is a distributor of finished (anti-reflective [AR] coated and non-AR coated) and semi-finished lenses in a variety of styles, including two progressive designs. TPL has been manufacturing lenses for nearly 20 years in India and has already been distributing them to some large customers in the U.S. as well as internationally. At this time, lenses from Techtran are being offered in CR-39® SunSensors® and USED and REBUILT OPTICAL EQUIPMENT • :<9-(*05. ,8<074,5; • • ,+.05. ,8<074,5; • • -050:/05. ,8<074,5; • • (9 ,8<074,5; • PLEASE CALL BARRY FOR FREE VALUATION BUY OR SELL s WWW USEDLABS COM "ARRY 3HEPARD s #ALIFORNIA 18 november 2012 Ken Lin, vice president of X-Tra Lite, operating the lab's new digital generator. by Corning. In the future, Techtran plans to increase their range of lens materials to include 1.56 clear and high-index lenses in 1.60 and 1.67. "What prompted us to open a distribution center was the decision by certain SunSensors suppliers to move away from this photochromic technol- ogy," said Jim Misco, vice president of sales and marketing. "We felt strongly that the optical community should be provided with choices when it comes to choosing which photochromic lens is right for their patients," he added. Through joint ventures, acquisitions, and partnerships, Techtran plans to increase its presence in the U.S. It has hired full-time sales representatives in New England, Georgia/Alabama, and the Texas/Oklahoma areas. It plans to hire more people in Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Illinois, the Carolinas, and Florida. According to Dr. Jayaram Chigurupati (Dr. Jay), Chairman of TPL and CEO of Techtran Lenses, "We are committed to building a strong presence in the U.S. ophthalmic market by using top-quality products and first-class service as the primary building blocks." NEW DIGITAL LAB FOR X-TRA LITE X-Tra Lite Optical, an indepen- dent wholesale Rx lab in California, has moved to a new location and added a digital surfacing lab. The new lab space will allow X-Tra Lite to produce digital lenses in-house with the acquisition of digital technology from Schneider Optical Ma- chines, Inc. X-Tra Lite has moved to a 5,500 sq. ft. facility at 15865 Chemical Lane, Huntington Beach, that is large enough to accommodate future growth. "Our expansion plans dictated that we move to a larger facility to support our growing customer base," said Ken Lin, vice president of X-Tra Lite. "We also needed the larger space to accommodate the added equipment investment to bring digital processing in-house." totallyoptical.com