VEL products reinstated

Ramsey, MN-Vision-Ease Lens (VEL) has reinstated the availability of nearly all of its product styles 17 months after a fire at the company’s manufacturing facility in Jakarta, Indonesia, led to a temporary suspension of some lens styles. No employees were injured in the November 2009 fire, but production was halted at the facility while it was rebuilt.

Earlier this year, VEL restarted production on the balance of its core polycarbonate lens line, and is now stocking and shipping Continua SFSV 71, 75, and 80 mm and Continua FSV 65, 75 mm lenses. Other previously reinstated products since the fire include: Continua Tintable FSV (Aspheric 65 mm, Spherical 75 mm), Tegra FSV (Aspheric 65 mm and 75 mm), Continua multifocals (D28, D35, 7x28, and 8x35), and all glass products.

VEL said its Continua FSVAR (Aspheric 65 mm, Spherical 75 mm) lenses have been discontinued and will be replaced with a new, upgraded version with Super-Hydro AR coating, set to launch in June 2011.

According to VEL, the rebuilt plant houses state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment, and meets international standards for natural disasters, including earthquakes and tsunamis, and houses the latest fire-suppressant technologies available.