Willich, October 2007

Willich, 25 October 2007. This year’s SILMO in Paris (19 - 22 October 2007), one of the world’s biggest trade fairs for optics and eyewear, was a resounding success for Seiko Optical Europe GmbH (Willich). The subsidiary of Seiko Optical Products Corporation in Tokyo, belonging to the Seiko Holdings Corporation high tech group, was honoured with the Optical World Symposium Award 2007 for its Seiko P-1SY inside progressive lens and affiliated revolutionary FreeForm technology. At the same time, a world premier – the SEIKO ORGATECH series of robust spectacle lenses – developed for both consumers and opticians, straightaway claimed a place in the top 5 nominee rankings for the annual Silmo d’Or award. Along with Seiko Orgatech, Seiko Optical Europe is now going on tour with the award-winning FreeForm production technology. True to the motto “Perfection sighted”, opticians from across Germany have been accepting exclusive invitations to evening events organised by the Seiko Optical European headquarters in Cologne, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Berlin and Munich.

„We are launching the Seiko P-1SY inner surface progressive design in the newly developed Seiko Orgatech in Europe this year”, announced Akira Nakashima, Managing Director of Seiko Optical Europe GmbH. The resulting product - Seiko Orgatech P-1SY 1.67 –, is the world’s first totally organic varifocal product, containing the world’s first totally organic coating, which, along with the outstanding inner surface progressive lens, sets new standards.“

Seiko Orgatech: heat-resistant up to 85°C, pressure-resistant up to 100 kg and with enhanced scratch resistance

Seiko Orgatech spectacle lenses are heat-resistant up to 85 degrees Celsius and can withstand pressures up to 100 kg without damage. This is possible thanks to a new approach in organic coating with which Seiko Optical has again advanced to become a trailblazing manufacturer. The vision: One day all the components of plastic spectacle lenses will be manufactured organically. Because fully organic manufacture of a spectacle lens with all its coatings is the key to hitherto unattained resilience, as impressively demonstrated by the Seiko team with wire brush punishment, as well as immersion, boiling and drop-ball impact tests (the 283 gram ball complies with the American ballistics standard).

Optical World Symposium Award 2007

Seiko Optical Europe GmbH received the Optical World Symposium Award 2007 at the 8th Annual International Symposium for the Optical Industry for its presentation of revolutionary FreeForm technology as the most innovative product. The honour was bestowed by the audience, comprising of industry specialists. Seiko Optical Europe’s presentation, “It's better to be on the inside - Why FreeForm lenses benefit both wearers and manufacturers”, on FreeForm production technology and the associated SEIKO brand, was also awarded a prize for the most innovative contribution among the 17 presentations given.

The international symposium hosted every year by the renowned journal Optical World covers all aspects of spectacle lens production in its conference programme, such as design and the various coating methods. The congress delegates were able to see for themselves the potential of this unique technology, which revolutionises the concept of organic spectacle lenses, thus leading to considerable changes in the market and to novel ways of designing spectacle lenses.

Nominated for the Silmo d'Or 2007

SEIKO ORGATECH was nominated for the Silmo d'Or 2007 and quickly took its place among the top 5 nominees. Following the selection procedure, the panel of experts nominated the completely novel technology that sets new standards for the accolade being awarded on the occasion of SILMO. The trophy awarded annually and contested for the 14th time since 1994 recognises worldwide outstanding developments in technology and innovation in spectacle optics. The thoroughly positive response at the fair and the keen interest of the market indicate that SEIKO ORGATECH P-1SY, with the expertise recognised in the industry, is set to further revolutionise optics in the future.

About SEIKO Optical Europe – www.seiko-optical.com

Seiko Optical Europe GmbH (Willich) develops, produces and sells high quality plastic spectacle lenses and titanium frames under the world-famous Seiko brand. Seiko Optical Europe GmbH is the wholly-owned subsidiary of the global player Seiko Optical Products Co., Ltd., Tokyo. It belongs to Seiko Holdings Corporation, which also includes the renowned Seiko Watch Corporation and Seiko Precision Corporation and a host of other companies. Most consumers know the Seiko brand name from the watch sector. But also the time measurement systems of Seiko Time Systems are familiar from many Olympic Games and international sporting events. In addition, golf clubs, special printers and other specialised devices are produced within the company group. The parent company, Seiko Holdings Corporation in Japan, generates worldwide sales of 1.3 billion Euros and employs 7,400 people. The European headquarters of the optics division was founded in Germany in 1992. Company branches have been in existence since 2002 in Belgium for the Benelux region and in France since 2005. Furthermore, the branch in Great Britain covers the British, Irish and Scandinavian markets.

Picture caption (r. to l.) David Nicoll accepts the Optical World Symposium Award 2007 on behalf of Seiko Optical.

Silke Hoffmann

SH/Communication – Public Relations Agency

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