An industry is propelled by its leaders... the men and women who push the envelope each and every day to make their respective companies the best they can be. In doing so, each company's individual achievement represents a step forward for the entire industry.

On the eve of a new millennium and a new era in optical, Eyecare Business invited the leaders themselves to share their visions of the industry... whether it be their own company's role in optical or the challenges that await them. What follows are their words.

A.I.T. Industries
Yordan Vulich, President

aitindustries.com

A.I.T. revolutionized the optical industry in 1964 with the introduction of the A.I.T. Mark V Bevel Edger. As the first truly automatic diamond wheel bevel edger with patented free-float technology, the Mark V offered independent practitioners the ability to purchase a grinding bevel edger at an affordable price that could process Rx's in a timely fashion.

Prior to the introduction of the Mark V, ceramic stoned bevel edgers were widely used with about 15 minutes needed to cut each lens. The Mark V reduced the processing time to one minute per lens, thereby eventually revolutionizing the market by helping to establish a foundation for in-office finishing, better quality eyewear, and better service to the customer.

Diamond wheels and the free-float technology patented by A.I.T. in 1964 was just the beginning. From that first Mark V Edger to our most recent product innovations, one important element has remained constant. The A.I.T. name has become synonymous with long-lasting quality equipment that is easy to maintain and service. Quality and service, the core principles that A.I.T. has always been known for, still exists today.

Recent product innovations based on our free-float technology have kept edging simple, made service easy, and have provided the long-lasting durability that people have come to expect from A.I.T.

As we enter the new millennium, the evolution of the A.I.T. product line will offer more sophisticated equipment resulting in higher quality bevel control, automatic grooving, and safety bevel features designed to increase the quality of in-office finishing. With the introduction of the Maxima, Optima, and GS-C150 patternless edgers, A.I.T. now offers a full product range capable of addressing the demands which exist in today's market.

Eyespace
Sumio Yukimura, President

eyespace.com

The transition to the next millennium and the subsequent development of new technologies will bring many changes to the eyewear industry. A new realm of frame design is now possible through advances in certain materials and manufacturing processes. The challenge in the coming century will be to find the true unity between designer fashion and innovative functionality in eyewear designs.

In the face of these changes in the eyewear industry, Eyespace will continue to consistently innovate in frame design, product marketing, and customer service. Our newest collection, Axiom rimless eyewear, demonstrates Eyespace's commitment to providing a product with an exceptional level of style and quality that is simple and successful for dispensers.

Colors in Optics
Sanford Hutton, President

Colors in Optics, founded in 1976 by president and designer Sanford Hutton, has become a widely-recognized and well-respected name in the fashion eyewear industry. A leader in foreseeing and shaping current trends in design, Sanford Hutton left his job as a licensed optician to create frames with bright colors at a time when virtually no colors were being offered in eyewear.

Considered a pioneering force in the eyewear industry, Diane Keaton selected several pairs of Colors in Optics frames to wear in the "classic" Woody Allen film Annie Hall, and the rest is history. Very quickly, Hutton gained the attention of the fashion press and shortly thereafter, Keaton's "preppy shaped" frame was donning the pages of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and GQ with the Colors in Optics name stamped proudly on the temple.

Department stores picked up on this trend, ordering large quantities of this style in previously unheard of colors like cherry, cobalt blue, and emerald green. This changed the direction of the industry as a major fashion eyewear resource.

In the realm of technical perfection, Colors in Optics has few rivals. To this day, Colors in Optics has one of the strongest color ranges in the industry-proving that Hutton's original reason for starting the company is still very much a part of the Colors in Optics story. Offering a wide selection of looks ranging from the truly trendy to the most classic at affordable prices, there is something for everyone in the Colors in Optics collection.

In recent years, Colors in Optics has expanded by distributing or licensing the following names: Steve Madden, Halston, Andrea Jovine, Gianni Versace (IC Optics), and Versus (IC Optics).

Our "vision" for the future involves expanding new divisions such as IC Optics and creating a new millennium of creative eyewear while becoming a driving force in this industry.

Briot
Joe DeLapp, President

abboptical.com

Briot enters the new millennium on the momentum created by its superior edging technology leadership and its strong relationships with customers. These two factors are key to our extraordinary success in the '90s.

Briot's state-of-the-art equipment designs are based on a clear understanding of customers' needs in both the retail and wholesale lab markets. Customers want step-saving technology that's easy to use, like Briot's all-in-one Accura finishing machine that uses computer robotics to scan, block, edge, groove, safety bevel, and polish all in one unit.

The Accura minimizes spoilage because its exclusive design reduces lens handling, requires less operator skill, and frees up staff time to perform other tasks-key benefits that lower costs while increasing productivity and profits.

Expect to see further advancements in multi-functional, step-saving equipment designs from Briot. We will continue to consult closely with our customers to help them analyze their business needs and determine the profit potential of upgrading with Briot equipment. Our highly-trained sales and technical service organizations are expert at providing these consultative services. Along with our breakthrough technology, our people continue to stand behind Briot's solid reputation today and in the future.

Gargoyles, Inc.
Leo Rosenberger, CEO and CFO

gargoylesinc.com

Like much of the sunglass industry, during the past couple of years Gargoyles, Inc. has faced the challenges of industry growth and consolidation and the pressures created by increasingly higher consumer expectations of product quality and innovation, service, and price. We recently completed a comprehensive restructure of our company during which we focused on developing the systems and infrastructure required for us to provide world-class service to our customers.

Since the launch in 1983 of our Gargoyles Performance Eyewear product line, which contained our patented dual toric-curve lens, we have been recognized as a leader in product innovation. Since then, we have developed a strong collection of brands and product lines which are recognized as leaders in their categories, including Gargoyles Performance and Protective Eyewear, Hobie Polarized Sunglasses, Stussy Eyewear, Anarchy and Angel Eyewear, Private Eyes and Tomichi Studio.

The eyewear industry will likely continue to pose significant challenges but will also provide Gargoyles with significant opportunities. Others in the industry will inevitably be forced to confront the same obstacles we have already overcome, and we will be moving forward into the new millennium from a position of strength and stability, with the ability to offer our customers the level of service and quality of product they will expect.

National Optronics
David A. Beach, President

nationaloptronics.com

National Optronics, celebrating its 20th Anniversary, has traditionally been associated with dry lens processing, modular machine design, and ultra customer/technical service.

Though not the first company to manufacture dry edgers, we were the first to commercialize them and base our core technology on the concept. We are convinced that both dry edging and generating will continue to field a major place in the lens processing equation.

A defining philosophy behind our machines' design has been in-lab maintenance. Their modularity allows them to be serviced with minimum downtime. In order to combine this objective with the latest in technology, we have assembled blue ribbon Engineering and Production departments. Their latest effort, the 4T Tracer, is positioned to seize the lead in the rapidly expanding remote site tracing arena.

Lastly, we will continue to emphasize the all important service element. As everyone's machinery becomes more technically sophisticated, we feel that our customers' buying decisions will move toward the total cost of ownership, as opposed to just the initial price. A significant element of that cost involves a manufacturer's support of its product. This focus on servicing the customer has been an Optronics hallmark since inception and will always remain so.

Charmant Group USA
Mike Otani, President

charmant.com

Charmant Group Inc., USA is leading the way into the millennium with its state-of-the-art optical technology and science, and a dedication to new ideas.

Charmant is a dynamic organization and as a leader, enjoys a distinctive place in the optical industry with its imaginative design and artistry, achieved by nurturing the technological wizardry of its award-winning designers.

Innovation is an everyday affair at Charmant. Our company was the first official optical supplier to introduce fully automated laptop product previewing and 24-hour order processing.

Such forward thinking ideas and others-such as the first screwless hinge, beta titanium frames, ion plating, tensha colors and the optical industry's largest assortment of 100 percent pure titanium product-secure Charmant Group as the preeminent optical company in the world.

The future of Charmant and its licenses -- Esprit, Elle, Hugo Boss, and Joe Boxer -- is bright and promising and we look forward to the years to come and continually growing our business together with our customers.

Optima, Inc.
Nicholas Niejelow, President & CEO

optima-hyper.com

Optima, founded in 1984 by Nicholas Niejelow, is privately owned and headquartered in Stratford, Conn. By pioneering the use of polyurethane plastic in Rx eyeglass lenses, Optima created a revolutionary material category for the industry.

Since it's inception, Optima developed nearly every technology breakthrough in the High Index plastic lens category. In 1987 it was with the introduction of the 1.60 lens. Optima took the 90s by storm by introducing a hydrophobic AR coating to the industry as well as launching the 1.60 high index progressive "Z" lens.

In 1992 Optima introduced the lens which created a whole new category: The Hyperindex 1.66 High Index Lens. Optima received the OLA "Best in Lens Design" award for this revolutionary material. 1992 continued with Optima coming out with the Double Concave aspheric 1.66 lens. In 1995, the 1.66 HyperView progressive flooded the industry.

A year later, the remarkable design of the "Backside Aspheric" was born. It brought an already superior product to the next level and paved the path for another new category. That same year, Optima introduced the product to the public. The Internet allowed us to do so through an educational website geared toward consumers (www.optima-hyper.com). The latest product to wow the industry is the 1.66 Aspheric D28 Bifocal. Advanced Adaptive Technology (AAT) provides instant adaptation and comfort.

As we approach the year 2000 Optima, Inc. continues its commitment to excellence and technology with incessant research and development with the hopes to introduce another new lens category for the next millennium.

L'AMY USA
Stephen Rappoport, President

lamygroup.com

The L'AMY Group has geared up for the new millennium by creating a sophisticated infrastructure that enables us to effectively partner with our customers. We've recently made a significant investment in SAP, a state-of-the-art computer system that links our inventory and production systems. SAP will enable us to streamline business operations and bring products to market faster to meet the demands of our increasingly sophisticated customers. The immediate benefit of SAP is providing the highest level of customer service available today.

We've launched Jeep Eyewear in both sun and ophthalmic frames, a brand that has been an amazing success. We'll continue to launch new brands over the next year that will have the same level of excitement and success we've achieved with Jeep.

In short, the L'AMY Group has invested in the tools and technology which enable us to effectively partner with our customers as we expand both of our businesses in the new millennium.

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