CARBONDALE, Pa.— Essilor told employees at its Gentex Optics manufacturing facility in Carbondale last week that it plans to discontinue operations there on or about Oct. 1, 2014. The move will impact 145 workers, according to Essilor.

The Gentex Optics plant produces polycarbonate lenses, including multi-focals, progressives, semi-finished, Airwear colors as well as non-prescription lenses for military, safety and sunwear products.

“Essilor does not take these types of business decisions lightly,” an Essilor spokesperson told VMail. “During this transition time, Essilor is assisting the employees at the Carbondale facility to find other employment opportunities, and the operation will continue to do business through September.”

Asked why Essilor is closing the Carbondale plant, the Essilor spokesperson responded, “Essilor has a network of manufacturing facilities around the world and in the U.S. It is our desire to continue to provide the best and most efficient services to our customers, and differing technologies and capabilities exist within each of these facilities. We must place work where it can most effectively meet the needs of our customers and the industry.”

Essilor purchased Gentex Optics, Inc. in 1995, including the Carbondale plant and another lens manufacturing facility in Dudley, Mass., which continues to operate.