RAMSEY, MINN. (Oct. 13, 2008) – Recognized for its exceptional business practices and Coppertone Polarized Lens product, Vision-Ease Lens (VEL) recently received two awards from National Vision, Inc. The Best Business Management and Best New Product awards are given annually to suppliers of National Vision, the fourth largest optical retailer in the U.S.
“Recognition for both of these awards acknowledges our commitment to customer service and superior product development,” said Tina Lahti, national account manager, VEL. “Coppertone is a great retail product that consumers identify with and has worked well to substantially increase prescription sunglass sales for National Vision. We couldn’t be happier to support their business.”
The Best Business Management Award is given to one company. As the 2008 recipient, VEL is recognized for its exceptional business practices including ease of doing business and customer service.
Two winners were chosen for the 2008 Best New Product Award, which highlights companies with products that contribute to the overall success and sales of National Vision. Coppertone product was chosen as one of the recipients. National Vision started selling Coppertone Polarized Lenses in March 2008 in both brown and gray. Close to 500 stores, operating as America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses, The Vision Center inside Wal-Mart, The Optical Center (located on select Military bases), and The Optical Shoppe inside Fred Meyer, carry the product.
“Coppertone is a leading-edge product that has helped to propel our sales in the premium polarized category,” said Vance Wright, Director of Lens Merchandising, National Vision. “The brand has a strong consumer connection, which helps our customers easily identify with its sun protection qualities. The new product award shows our excitement and faith in the ability of this product to fill a gap in the polarized lens category.”
Both awards were presented at National Vision’s annual vendor meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008 in John’s Creek, Ga. For more information about VEL, please visit www.vision-ease.com
Pictured from left to right: Reade Fahs, President and CEO National Vision; Tina Lahti, National Account Manager Vision-Ease Lens; Vance Wright, Merchandising Manager National Vision; Kari Morgenthaler, Senior Marketing Channel Manager Vision-Ease Lens; Bruce Steffey, Executive VP and COO National Vision
About Vision-Ease Lens
Headquartered in Ramsey, Minn., Vision-Ease Lens is a manufacturer of quality ophthalmic lenses including LifeRx® photochromic lenses, Coppertone™ polarized lenses, SunRx
Ò polarized lenses, and Illumina
Ò progressive line-free lenses. Vision-Ease Lens products are sold through independent opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists, as well as many retail chains and dispensing markets across the country. For more information about Vision-Ease Lens and its products, visit
www.vision-ease.com
National Vision, Inc. (NVI) is the fourth largest optical retailer in the United States, operating over 500 retail locations in 44 states through the U.S. National Vision employs over 4,400 employees and retail divisions include America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Vision Centers inside select Wal-Marts, Optical Shoppes inside Fred Meyer and Optical Centers on select military bases.
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