We're proud to accept the honor. Below is an introduction article featured in Optical Lab Products. There's more to come! Stay tuned.

The Epitome of Innovative

By John Sailer - Editorial Director of First Vision Media Group We just returned from the Midwest, where we toured the facilities of the wholesale optical lab being honored as this year's OLP Lab Innovator of the Year. On so many levels, this company epitomizes what it means to be an innovator due to all the unique aspects of its operation. After starting as a finish-only lab in 1999, just a short time ago in lab years, it installed 100% digital surfacing equipment in 2007, having never had the challenges of running a conventional surfacing lab. Surprisingly, this lab does not now and has never done managed vision care work. In fact, it has no plans to do so in the future, choosing rather to focus solely on private pay work for the 600 jobs it produces each day. In a small footprint, using only high-quality equipment from Schneider, MEI, Coburn, A&R and others, the company runs three shifts to get these jobs done. It was among the first labs to offer PPG's new Tribrid thin and light lens material that combines excellent optical quality with impact resistance and UV protection. The current manager began working for his parents when they started this family-owned lab while he was still in high school, and the majority of the company's employees are under 30 years old. The company literally fills a football stadium [Lambeau Field] with over one thousand attendees and more than 100 vendors for its regularly scheduled educational sessions, which up until recently were held annually and now take place every other year. By now you've probably guessed that this year's OLP Lab Innovator of the Year is Cherry Optical, Inc of Green Bay, WI Look for an in-depth report on the company in the next edition of this magazine, but meanwhile, feel free to congratulate founders Joe and Lynn Cherry and their son Adam.