Major Fire Reported In Vision-Ease Lens Jakarta Facility

Operations and order fulfillment shift to Ramsey Minn., facility

• Press Release
• Source: Vision-Ease Lens
• On 11:32 am EST, Thursday November 12, 2009

RAMSEY, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vision-Ease Lens (VEL), a manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses, learned yesterday that its manufacturing facility in Jakarta, Indonesia, sustained damage from a major fire. All employees evacuated safely and damage is currently being assessed. The Jakarta facility is one of two manufacturing facilities owned by VEL.

As part of initial recovery steps, interim manufacturing operations of lenses made in Jakarta will be moved to VEL’s facility in Ramsey, Minn. The company expects to meet continued customer demand with existing inventory at key distribution centers.

“Our priority right now is ensuring employee and customer needs are met,” said Doug Hepper, CEO, VEL. “The Jakarta facility is a vital part of our operation. We will leverage the skills and knowledge of our Jakarta employees to rebuild a world-class facility.”

VEL will continue to inform its stakeholders and the public regarding the impact on operations. For additional information about VEL and continued updates, please visit www.vision-ease.com.

About Jakarta Facility

Vision-Ease Lens opened the 80,000 sq. ft. facility in 1997. It is operational 24/7 and employs approximately 500 employees.

About Vision-Ease Lens

Headquartered in Ramsey, Minn., Vision-Ease Lens is a manufacturer of quality ophthalmic lenses including LifeRx^® light-responsive lenses, Coppertone^™ polarized lenses, SunRx^® polarized lenses, and Illumina^® 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.

Risdall McKinney Public Relations
Melissa Neill, 651-286-6736
mneill@risdall.com
or
Vision-Ease Lens
Jay Lusignan, 763-506-9201
Jay.Lusignan@vision-ease.com