Essilor gets new certification, partners

Dallas-Essilor of America's North America Operations Supply Chain Organization has received ISO 9001:2000 certification. TUV Rheinland of North America Inc., an independent accredited third-party registrar, conducted the audit.

The operating system will enable Essilor to respond to the changing needs of customers, internally and externally. The certification also builds on the ISO 9001:2000 certification of Essilor's Columbus Distribution Center last year, the company said.

"ISO certification for the supply chain organization is a significant additional feather in Essilor's cap," said Steve Freedman, vice president, operations and administration for Essilor Lens Group.

Also, Essilor International recently participated with Safilo Group in the Special Olympics "Opening Eyes" program in France. In 2003, the companies signed a 3-year agreement to support the program, which focuses on helping athletes with intellectual disabilities improve their vision through eye health services and the prescribing and dispensing of eyeglasses. This year, they donated 90 ophthalmic frames, 180 sunglasses, and 180 ophthalmic lenses to participants.