This was posted yesterday on WC:
The first sentence is incorrect. Schott does not sell to optometrists, nor do they sell to optical laboratories. They only sell to optical manufacturers, such as myself and Phillips.
I'm sure the writer is unaware that her friends optometrist contacted my company and ordered them direct from me. As far as I know, my company is the only one in the country that is doing prescription work in the ACE material. I certainly could be wrong, however, read further before commenting.
You will always get good service from your optometrist as well as perfect (usually) fitting. This is something we've always recommended.
Now to the crux of the matter.
As I wrote 6 months or more ago, Schott shut down their manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania September 30th, 2004. Since that time, they have been disposing of remaining inventory, usually by *dumping it in a landfill*. We found out a month ago that our remaining inventory of prescription lens blanks of the ACE material, being held at the warehouse had been dumped sometime in January or February, without our consent or knowledge. They never contacted us to let us know - I had asked them to let me know when they need the inventory pulled out, but they never did. They dumped somewhere in the neighborhood of 6,000 lens blanks.
At this time, there is no inventory at all of ACE glass at Schott. I brought in the last of it at the end of March, from what I was told, Phillips did the same for their inventory at the end of December.
Schott will be happy to make the ACE glass in Germany, however, they've never made it their before. However, they will need an order somewhere in the range of 4-5 years worth of inventory (at our current usage), it all must be taken at once, and must all be paid for at the time of the order (this is now the rules for all customers). Additionally, the US dollar is about 30% lower than the Euro, and, the EU has slapped a 30% tariff on all sales of pressed ophthalmic lens blanks being sold to the US, in retaliation for some idiotic agriculture dispute. So, off the bat, we are at a 60% disadvantage.
But all is not too bad. We have contacted several other glass manufacturers who have indicated an interest in making the ACE glass for us. They are currently reviewing their costs and we expect to hear soon that one of these companies will be able to meet our requirements.
Prices are definately going to go up. Early indications are that the raw materials (even if we do not go through an EU company) will be about 300% more expensive than what we had been paying to Schott. Then we have freight and re-molding costs.
It's going to be an interesting couple of months coming up...
Quote:
A good optometrist should be able to order the ACE material from Schott. I have a friend who got her Rx lampworking lenses from her own optometrist. Personally, I would feel better about going through an optometrist to get a Rx filled than ordering over the phone/internet. That way, you are getting their full service, including custon fitting, and a huge choice of frames.
The first sentence is incorrect. Schott does not sell to optometrists, nor do they sell to optical laboratories. They only sell to optical manufacturers, such as myself and Phillips.
I'm sure the writer is unaware that her friends optometrist contacted my company and ordered them direct from me. As far as I know, my company is the only one in the country that is doing prescription work in the ACE material. I certainly could be wrong, however, read further before commenting.
You will always get good service from your optometrist as well as perfect (usually) fitting. This is something we've always recommended.
Now to the crux of the matter.
As I wrote 6 months or more ago, Schott shut down their manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania September 30th, 2004. Since that time, they have been disposing of remaining inventory, usually by *dumping it in a landfill*. We found out a month ago that our remaining inventory of prescription lens blanks of the ACE material, being held at the warehouse had been dumped sometime in January or February, without our consent or knowledge. They never contacted us to let us know - I had asked them to let me know when they need the inventory pulled out, but they never did. They dumped somewhere in the neighborhood of 6,000 lens blanks.
At this time, there is no inventory at all of ACE glass at Schott. I brought in the last of it at the end of March, from what I was told, Phillips did the same for their inventory at the end of December.
Schott will be happy to make the ACE glass in Germany, however, they've never made it their before. However, they will need an order somewhere in the range of 4-5 years worth of inventory (at our current usage), it all must be taken at once, and must all be paid for at the time of the order (this is now the rules for all customers). Additionally, the US dollar is about 30% lower than the Euro, and, the EU has slapped a 30% tariff on all sales of pressed ophthalmic lens blanks being sold to the US, in retaliation for some idiotic agriculture dispute. So, off the bat, we are at a 60% disadvantage.
But all is not too bad. We have contacted several other glass manufacturers who have indicated an interest in making the ACE glass for us. They are currently reviewing their costs and we expect to hear soon that one of these companies will be able to meet our requirements.
Prices are definately going to go up. Early indications are that the raw materials (even if we do not go through an EU company) will be about 300% more expensive than what we had been paying to Schott. Then we have freight and re-molding costs.
It's going to be an interesting couple of months coming up...
