May 2010

New Owner's Pledge Support for DAC International's Continued Growth

The acquisition of DAC International by new owners was finalized on April 30, 2010.

For more than 25 years, DAC International has been considered a world leading manufacturer of innovative lens production equipment and software for the contact and intraocular lens industries. More recently, DAC broadened its product offering to include a spectacle lens surfacing system and specialty lens software.

The new majority owner, American Industries, is an investment company located in Portland, Oregon. Over the past nine months, American Industries has been working with DAC International’s management team to facilitate growth and the acquisition of new technology.

In early January, American assisted with the completion of an agreement, whereby DAC International acquired the technology to design, manufacture, sell and service the Contamac BV Opteq System. This system has allowed DAC to expand their already substantial product line with high-end, ultra-precise equipment and software for the production of contact and intraocular lenses and the turning of plastics and non-ferrous metals. In conjunction with this acquisition, DAC International was able to secure the return of Ken Payne as European Sales Manager and increase their sizeable service staff, with Opteq technical support in Europe.

Over the years, DAC International has built a strong reputation for innovation, quality and service. American Industries has been involved with DAC since last August and is in full support of the existing management team, led by President, Jim Drain, and the direction they have established. Under American’s ownership, DAC International looks forward to continued growth and further development of state-of-the-art technological advancements for lens manufacturers worldwide.

January 2010

DAC International Announces New European Sales Manager.

DAC International is pleased to announce the return of Ken Payne as its European Sales Manager.  His long career in the contact and intraocular lens industries began with Allergan UK,  where he served as Engineering Manager, Production Manager, Engineering and Facilities Manager and Director of Process.  In November 1990, he joined  DAC, where for the next 10 years he managed sales and service of DAC contact lens and IOL production equipment in Europe and UK.   In early 2001, he accepted a position at Contamac as Engineering Manager.  In May 2004,  Contamac concluded an arrangement with Henk Keila to create Contamac BV and continue the development, sales and service of the Opteq Precision Lathe and Blocking System.  Ken became the Managing Director of Contamac BV.  Ken also spent several years as President of EFCLIN.

Mark Hillman continues as DAC International’s European Service Manager.

January 2010

DAC International President Inducted into the OLA Optical Pioneers Hall of Fame

Jim Drain, president of DAC International, Inc., was honored by the Optical Laboratories Association during their 2009 annual meeting in Washington, D.C.  He was inducted into the Optical Pioneers Hall of Fame at a banquet held on December 4.  In particular, Jim has helped pioneer single point diamond turning and the movement to free form and digital surfacing for PAL manufacturing. This has also led to the creation of software for specialty lens designs such as slab-offs, blended lenticulars and round segs that can now be manufactured by using this same single point diamond tool technology. 

January 2010

Specialty Lens Designer Software nominated for 2009 OLA Award of Excellence.

DAC International’s Specialty Lens Designer Software was a nominee for a 2009 OLA Award of Excellence in the Software Tools category.  Specialty Lens Designer allows the ECP to design specialty lens solutions for their eyeware customers.  Three-dimensional imaging allows both the designer and customer to visualize the finished lens before the job goes to the lab, ensuring everyone in the process knows what they are asking for and what they will get.

After completing the design, the software simplifies the order process by giving the lab everything it needs to manufacture the lenses exactly to the design parameters…quickly and efficiently.  Long special order processing delays are eliminated and customer satisfaction and loyalty are enhanced.

July 2009

DAC SOFTWARE MANAGER WINS TOURNAMENT

Over the Fourth of July holiday, Neal Bergman, Manager of Software Engineering, traveled to Las Vegas to compete in the U.S. Open of Table Tennis. This is a "Rated" tournament drawing participants from all over the globe. Neal won first place in his division, Under 1500 Hard Bat, by defeating the six other players in his field. Congrats for a great finish, Neal!

January 2008

MIDWEST SALES ENGINEER FOR DAC SURFACING SYSTEMS 

Cj Eggbeer has recently re-joined the staff of DAC International as Surfacing Systems Sales Engineer covering the Midwest.

Cj has been an optical industry professional for over 30 years and has extensive experience in capital equipment sales and service. Prior to becoming Sales Engineer, Cj was the DAC Surfacing Systems Product Manager at our facility in Carpinteria, where he was instrumental in helping to bring this product line to market.

Having a deep understanding of emerging digital lens design technology, Cj is poised to provide consultive sales expertise to ophthalmic laboratories throughout the Midwestern United States

He currently resides in South Bend, Indiana and can be contacted at ceggbeer@dac-intl.com phone 888.373.3027 ext 1618 or directly at (574) 339-8686.

NEW REPRESENTATION FOR DAC OPTICAL SURFACING PRODUCTS

DAC International is pleased to announce the recent representation of their optical surfacing product line by C. Scott Gaber, owner of Innovative Visual Products, LLC. 

IVP is an independent contractor group representing a limited number of high quality optical manufacturers. Gaber founded the company in 2002, offering start-up and acquisitions assistance to optical labs and chains throughout Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Mississippi. 

He will work in conjunction with DAC International’s Eastern Regional Sales Manager, Chris Pantle, to provide sales, installation and after-purchase support for DAC International’s Surfacing System: the RxD Spectacle Lens Lathe, NSLP Soft Lap Polisher and Specialty Lens Menu. 

"With over 12 years experience in the optical and eyewear industry, we believe Scott is in a position to better acquaint labs with both the technical and economic advantages of using DAC International’s system," stated Jim Drain, President of DAC International.

August 2006

Chris Pantle

EASTERN USA / SOUTH AMERICA SALES MANAGER

DAC International is pleased to announce the addition of Chris Pantle to their sales team.  

Beginning August 1, Pantle will assume duties as Sales Manager for the Eastern United States, Texas, Oklahoma and South America. He will handle the entire DAC product line, including equipment and software for the manufacture of contact, intraocular, and spectacle lenses.

Pantle comes to DAC with over 20 years experience in the industry. He served as Senior Field Service Engineer for Coburn Optical Industries for 7 years, and as U.S. Sales and Service Manager for Lamda Polytech Ltd. for the past ten years. He has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association (CLMA) since October 2002, and is currently acting as their Secretary-Treasurer.

"We are very pleased to have Chris as part of our team," stated Jim Drain, President of DAC International. "We have always put a premium on meeting and exceeding our customers’ needs.  Chris’ reputation for excellence in customer service, and his broad range of knowledge and experience will contribute substantially towards achieving this goal."

NEW EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

George "Chip" Heavican has been promoted to the position of Executive Vice President.  Chip joined DAC International 19 years ago.  

In his capacity as Pacific Rim Sales Manager, he participated in the development of all new  product offerings, giving DAC's Engineering Department the customer perspective.

In his new, expanded role, Chip will contribute to product decisions on a global level.

PATENT NEWS

U.S. patent granted to John R. Keller, Vice President of Engineering, Steven L. Reid, Senior Electrical Engineer, and Joseph K. Bond, Mechanical Engineer, for the System and Method for Reducing Oscillating Tool-Induced Reaction Forces.

U.S. patent granted to John R. Keller, Vice President of Engineering, and Richard L.Cooksey, Engineering Manager for the Single-point Flexure Toric Contact Lens Forming Machine and Method.