RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—With what it states is "a focus on simplicity, reliability, and sustainability to best serve customers and further improve operations," VSP Optics, a division of VSP Vision, announced it will consolidate the VSPOne lab network starting next month. Effective July 29, VSPOne will close its Baltimore, Charlotte, Olympia, New York, and St. Cloud labs, and its Fort Lauderdale lab will close on Sept. 30. Its flagship labs in Dallas, Hawaii, Sacramento, and Tampa will remain open to optimize production processes and deliver "consistent, seamless, and simplified service to VSP network doctors and their patients," the company noted.

Also, beginning on Sept. 30, VSPOne Columbus will become fully dedicated to fulfilling specialty program orders for VSP’s Advantage Elements, Elements, ProTec and Safety claims.

“Streamlining our lab network, while a difficult decision, will ultimately create a more sustainable and efficient supply chain that enables us to deliver best-in-class service to doctors and their patients,” said Indar Chaudhuri, president of VSP Optics. “While we are simplifying our operations, we will continue to make significant investments in the latest innovative manufacturing technologies, our workforce training, and our proprietary products to meet the needs of our customers.”

In response to a request from VMAIL, VSP declined to provide details about the number of impacted positions due to the consolidation. A spokesperson told VMAIL, "Those numbers are confidential but we are supporting impacted employees in multiple ways. In some cases, opportunities to relocate to other lab locations are being offered, and for those who do not wish to relocate or don’t have the option, we are providing severance pay, career transition and outplacement support and health care stipends."

In addition to further strengthening service, the centralization efforts will help reduce physical waste and environmental impacts. Estimated shipping and transportation efficiencies will help the lab network reduce its carbon footprint by nearly 40 percent, the company said.

To support a smooth transition, beginning July 29 practices can choose from the remaining VSPOne labs listed in the Eyefinity drop-down menu when placing orders. They are encouraged to begin directing lab orders to the VSPOne lab in their region—Dallas, Hawaii, Sacramento and Tampa—which will become their dedicated lab listed in drop-down starting on Sept. 30.

Beyond VSPOne’s labs, there is also a network of authorized Unity distributor labs available to help meet practice needs. For questions and support, VSP network doctors are encouraged to contact their VSP Optics Business Consultant.