LAB INNOVATOR OF 2010 - Luzerne Optical Labs

A Modelof InnovationWITH THIS, our annual LabInnovator of the Year award, we honor thecore of our industry. Without innovation,the independents could not compete (withapologies to the corporate labs, of course).In order to succeed, an innovative lab musthave a complete understanding of our industry,from vendors through internal needs tocustomers’ desires.This year’s recipient, Luzerne OpticalLaboratories, Ltd., located in Wilkes-Barre,PA, epitomizes all that is necessary for success.Without relying on outside consultantsor business experts, this independentwholesale optical lab has established aculture for success based upon using technologyto serve its customers needs. If Ihave heard it once from Luzerne Optical,I have heard it again and again, “We oweit to our customers.”That focus, established by the founderJohn P. “Jack” Dougherty and his wifeLorraine, then carried on by the next generation,Neil, John, Renee, and Yvonne,and Neil’s wife Elizabeth, continues tobuild on that success. With almost 200employees, it is still a family business,now an extended family! Jack still worksdaily and even on weekends, edging jobsand checking work on his Vertometer.As Neil Dougherty said, “Even withall our technology, our primary strength isour people. I can’t say enough about ourpersonnel and the great job that they do.They’re a big part of why we’re successful.”Certainly technology is a constantemphasis, investing early to be the first inthe market, and establishing the learningcurve for labs that follow. Luzerne was thefirst lab in the U.S. to invest in a Schneidergenerator…way back when Zeiss was thedistributer. It was also the first independentlab (along with Walman) to install the Crizal ®process. While new technology can be disruptiveto the business, Dougherty said, “Weowe it to our customers.” The proof is in thelab. For example, its belief in state-of-the-artdigital technology has led it to install threeautomated, self-contained free-form lines, twoin production and a third, fully operational linewaiting for demand to increase and occasionallyput into use for excess production!Luzerne Optical is also proactive indeveloping private label products, again,because “We owe it to our customers.”These include house brand progressives,free-form single vision and progressives,photochromic and polarized lenses,house brand AR, and premium asphericand plasma-treated contact lenses…allproducts to help its customers compete.Additionally, Luzerne Optical is agood citizen, garnering a variety ofawards for itscommitment to thecommunity and, ofcourse, a worthyrecipient of thisyear’s Innovator ofthe Year award.JIM GROOTEGOEDProfessional Editor, Optical Lab ProductsOur Heartfelt Congratulationsto Luzerne OpticalInnovative surfacingproducts for theophthalmic andprecision-optic industryNamed “Lab Innovator 2010” by Optical Lab ProductsYour Friends atSchneider Optical Machines, Inc.SCHNEIDER Optical Machines • 972-247-4000 • www.schneider-om.com