Thanks For An Amazing 56 Years!
![IcareLabs celebrates 56 years as a wholesale optical lab](https://blog.icarelabs.com/hubfs/IcareLabs%20celebrates%2056%20years%20as%20a%20wholesale%20optical%20lab.png)
We recently marked our 56th anniversary, a milestone made possible by our incredible customers and dedicated employees! This past year has brought challenges, surprises, new equipment, and a wealth of learning experiences, but we wouldn't have it any other way.
Leadership and Values
From the day we opened our doors 56 years ago, my family has been at the helm of our operations. Myself, President Danny Payne, Executive VP Tyler Payne, and Executive VP of Technology James Payne each bring our unique talents to create a trifecta of expertise, continually striving to make IcareLabs the premier wholesale lab.
Our commitment to our core beliefs - value, service, and dedication - shines through everything we do. We believe in taking care of our team first, ensuring we deliver the best products for our customers and their patients.
New Equipment
In mid-2023, we upgraded our lab with state-of-the-art Coburn Duality and Agility machines, significantly improving our efficiency by automatically removing surface saver tape and washing lenses. Additionally, our new automatic tapers have further automated our processes.
Our frame department has expanded with a wider range of offerings from various vendors, enabling us to serve our finished customers more quickly. We also revamped our frame intake process, dedicating a new section of our lab to ensure accurate frame matchup with a first-in, first-out approach.
Moreover, we have achieved certification to process polycarbonate safety jobs in-house, drastically improving our turnaround time for safety work. Our updated warranty policies now offer better value, helping our customers serve their patients more effectively.
We are proud to announce that we were honored as the Lab of the Year for 2023!
Our Team
We were thrilled to be recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Tampa Bay this year! Celebrating with our team at Raymond James Stadium on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pirate Ship was an unforgettable experience (Go Bucs!). We have focused extensively on training, certifications, and streamlining our processes for maximum efficiency.
All of our inspectors are now certified reference inspectors, a testament to our commitment to having the best team possible. Their dedication ensures that minimal errors leave our lab.
Employee Engagement![Employees at Icarelabs](https://blog.icarelabs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Employees%20at%20Icarelabs.png?width=366&height=244&name=Employees%20at%20Icarelabs.png)
Our successes are thanks to our remarkable leadership and rockstar team members! We've celebrated these achievements throughout the year and shown our appreciation whenever possible.
Highlights include a Harry Potter-themed contest, putt-putt golf at the Par Bar in downtown St. Petersburg, and an upcoming dinner cruise to celebrate our Lab of the Year award.
Thank You, Yes You!
This past year has been extraordinary, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to each of our customers for trusting us with their wholesale prescription eyeglass needs. We look forward to continuing to improve and serve you even better in the coming year. We still have many tricks up our sleeve, more to come!