syntec optics

Syntec Optics -- a manufacturer of quality, precision molded plastic optics for the medical, defense and biometric industries -- had a near record year in 2010.

It fell just shy historic numbers reached in the 2008-2009 fiscal year and the company is currently on pace to increase sales by 13.5% in 2011.

“We missed having a record year by 1 percent,”General Manager Lori Steffenilla said. “Despite the worldwide economic conditions, we invested in our facility and our people and were able to increase our year-over-year sales by 20 percent.”

Syntec Optics is the largest independent manufacturer of custom plastic lens in the nation. Last year, the company completed an expansion and renovation project that included the addition of a new 77-ton Arburg injection molding machine equipped with a Yushin robot.

This will enable Syntec to hire another 15 employees in 2011. It also successfully added seven new customers in 2010, including an exciting eye-tracking project partnership with Eye-Com that could change the way we interface with technology.

Syntec also upgraded its ISO certification in 2010 to ISO 9001:2008 and was able to complete “Design of Experiment” training in conjunction with the Rochester Institute of Technology.

“We had 12 employees each complete 40 hours of training,” Quality Manager Dan Morgan said. “It gave us the tools to use a systematic and methodical approach to solving engineering challenges. Those efforts enabled us to reduce both cost and lead time for a number of our customers."

Syntec Optics was also able to set an impressive benchmark for on-time deliveries by meeting deadlines nearly 99 percent of the time.

“We are extremely proud of this accomplishment since our customers depend on us to deliver their products as promised," Steffenilla said. "It’s just another example of Syntec’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction."

Syntec Optics currently employees 100 people at its two facilities located in Pavilion and Rochester and produces "Precision Plastic Optics for Tomorrow’s Technologies.” To find out more, visit www.syntecoptics.com.

Syntec Optics, with locations in Pavilion and Rochester, recently completed an audit that upgrades the company’s ISO Certification from 9001:2000 to 9001:2008. The original certification audit was conducted by the Bureau Veritas Group last year.

"We are committed to continually evaluating and improving our processes so that we can deliver high quality, cost effective components to our customers," said Lori Steffenilla, VP of manufacturing operations. “Completing this audit and being compliant with the latest standards confirms our attention to detail and quality.”

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world's largest developer and publisher of International Standards. ISO is a network of the national standards institutes of 161 countries, one member per country, with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system.

"This new ISO accreditation further demonstrates our ability to contribute to the global polymer optics field," said Rick Arndt, vice pesident and general manager. "Compliance with internationally recognized standards grants us access to customers who can be assured of the strength and quality of our processes."

Syntec Optics, which is also ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulation) compliant, is the largest independently owned manufacturer of custom polymer optics in North America and makes components for the defense, medical and biometric industries.

The company recently added a clean room to its Pavilion location. This Class 10,000 clean room will be used for assembly and testing of precision polymer and glass optical systems that are highly sensitive to environmental particulates.