What Signet Armorlite does

Signet Armorlite, founded in 1977 and headquartered in Carlsbad, California, operates as a Doing Business As of Essilor Laboratories of America, Inc., which is part of EssilorLuxottica. The company is an independent manufacturer and distributor of ophthalmic lenses, primarily commercializing the licensed KODAK Lens brand alongside proprietary lines including Navigator, DirecTek, and Crossbows, and distributing 3M optical supplies such as LEAP Pads and Press-On Optics.

Its product portfolio spans KODAK Progressive, Single Vision, and Computer lenses; a three-tier anti-reflective coating stack (KODAK CleAR as Good, Clean&CleAR as Better, TotalCleAR as Best); the Silk™ ultra-slick coating; KODAK Total Blue blue-violet light filtering lenses (granted U.S. Patents 10,191,305 and 11,016,313); photochromic, XTRActive, polarized, and Drivewear polarized-photochromic lens materials; and the Signetek Lab house coating brand BluCrystal. Underlying technology is rooted in materials science, optical coating engineering, and patented photochromic and blue-light filtration chemistries rather than software or AI.

The company monetizes through one-time lens and coating sales to eyecare professionals — optometrists, ophthalmologists, and optical retailers — distributed via the Essilor optical laboratory network. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; end-consumer pricing is set by eyecare professionals and is supported by insurance plan coverage across most major plans for KODAK coating and Total Blue products. The company maintains a US headquarters and a dedicated UK presence (kodaklens.co.uk), with a leadership team led by Prashant Santan, Director of Operations and Technology.

Name

Signet Armorlite

Legal name

Essilor Laboratories of America, Inc.

Website

https://signetarmorlite.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Signet Armorlite is a Carlsbad, California-based ophthalmic lens manufacturer (DBA of Essilor Laboratories of America within EssilorLuxottica) that produces and distributes KODAK Lens progressives, single vision, computer, photochromic, and coated lenses to eyecare professionals across the US and UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmic Lens Manufacturing

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers (42346)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)

Keywords

• Ophthalmic lens manufacturing
• Prescription eyewear lenses
• Photochromic lens materials
• Anti-reflective lens coatings
• KODAK lens distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Carlsbad

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ophthalmic Lens Sales: Signet Armorlite generates revenue through manufacturing and distributing prescription ophthalmic lenses, including progressive lenses, single vision lenses, computer lenses, and specialty lenses to eyecare professionals and optical laboratories.
2. Lens Coating Services: Revenue from proprietary coatings including KODAK TotalCleAR, KODAK Clean&CleAR, KODAK CleAR, KODAK Total Blue, and BluCrystal applied to lenses.
3. 3M Optical Products: Distribution of 3M optical supplies including LEAP Pads and Press-On Optics, generating revenue through product distribution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Signet Armorlite manufactures and distributes prescription ophthalmic lenses and lens coatings under the KODAK Lens brand for distribution to eyecare professionals and optical laboratories. The product portfolio spans progressive, single vision, and computer lenses, anti-reflective and blue-light filtering coatings, photochromic and polarized lens materials, and specialty lens lines. The company also distributes 3M optical supplies (LEAP Pads and Press-On Optics) as part of its offerings to the U.S. and UK optical markets.

Product overview

Signet Armorlite, operating as Essilor Laboratories of America DBA Signet Armorlite, distributes KODAK Lens branded eyewear products and related optical supplies. The portfolio includes a comprehensive range of prescription lenses organized into three tiers: core lens types (KODAK Progressive Lenses for multifocal correction, KODAK Computer Lenses for digital device viewing, and KODAK Single Vision Lenses for single-distance correction); premium anti-reflective coatings (KODAK TotalCleAR as the BEST tier with enhanced scratch resistance and UV absorption, KODAK Clean&CleAR/Clean&CleAR UV as BETTER tier with improved repellency, and KODAK CleAR as GOOD tier entry-level AR); and specialty materials including photochromic, XTRActive, polarized, and Drivewear polarized-photochromic options. Additional product lines include Navigator, DirecTek, and Crossbows specialty lenses, KODAK Total Blue blue-light filtering lenses, and distributed 3M optical supplies (LEAP Press-On Optics and LEAP Pads). The company operates through eyecare professionals and offers technical support including lens data catalogs and software specifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KODAK Lens: Primary lens brand offering progressive lenses, single vision lenses, computer lenses, coatings, and lens materials
• Navigator
• DirecTek
• Crossbows
• BluCrystal
• Silk

Products and services

• KODAK Progressive Lenses Progressive lenses providing sharp, clear vision for all distances with seamless transitions between near, intermediate, and far vision zones, designed for patients with presbyopia dispensed through eyecare professionals.
• KODAK Computer Lenses Lenses optimized for computer and intermediate-range work, addressing digital-device viewing distances for patients spending extended time on screens.
• KODAK Single Vision Lenses Single-vision lenses for correction of one field of vision (near, intermediate, or distance), serving patients with myopia, hyperopia, or single-distance refractive needs.
• KODAK TotalCleAR Lenses (KTC) Premium anti-reflective (no-glare) coating offering enhanced scratch resistance, improved thermomechanical tolerance, and back-side UV absorption — positioned as the BEST-tier coating.
• KODAK Clean&CleAR and KODAK Clean&CleAR UV Lenses (KCNC) Mid-tier anti-reflective coatings with improved water, dirt, and dust repellency plus UV absorption — positioned as the BETTER-tier coating.
• KODAK CleAR (KC) Entry-level anti-reflective (no-glare) coating providing scratch resistance and glare protection — positioned as the GOOD-tier coating.
• KODAK Total Blue Lenses Combination lens material with AR coating that filters blue-violet light up to 80% (380–440nm), provides 100% direct UV protection, and incorporates Color Guard Lens Technology™. Protected by U.S. Patents 10,191,305 and 11,016,313.
• Silk Lens Coating Ultra-slick proprietary lens coating providing easier-to-clean lens surfaces and improved lens clarity; U.S. and foreign patents pending.
• BluCrystal Signetek Lab's house-brand hydrophobic AR coating with light blue hue, offered as an affordable no-glare option for non-KODAK lenses with a limited one-year warranty.
• Photochromic Lens Material Adaptive lens material that darkens with UV exposure and returns to clear indoors, filtering 100% of harmful UV rays with photochromic action lasting the life of the prescription.
• XTRActive New Generation Enhanced photochromic lens material that starts with a light tint and reaches a higher darkness level, activates moderately behind a windshield, and is designed for light-sensitive individuals and very bright environments.
• XTRActive Polarized Virtually clear lens that incorporates dynamic polarization upon UV exposure, combining photochromic comfort with polarized glare reduction indoors and outdoors.
• Polarized Lens Material Permanently dark polarized lenses that dramatically reduce glare, increase clarity and color contrast, and filter 100% of harmful UV.
• Polarized Photochromic (Drivewear) Combines polarization and photochromic action; transitions from green/yellow to copper to dark red-brown, reducing glare outdoors and inside a car while blocking 100% of harmful UV.
• Sun Lens Mirror Polarized Poly-base sun lens with mirror surface providing 100% UV protection and fashionable mirror color options (blue, red, green, black/silver).
• Navigator Lens Proprietary specialty lens brand offering specific visual performance benefits distributed through eyecare professionals.
• DirecTek Lens Specialty lens product line distributed to eyecare professionals.
• Crossbows Lens Specialty lens product line distributed to eyecare professionals.
• 3M LEAP Press-On Optics 3M optical supply products distributed by Signet Armorlite, including press-on optics for vision correction offered to eyecare professionals.
• 3M LEAP Pads 3M LEAP pads distributed by Signet Armorlite to eyecare professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Global photochromic lenses market projected at $9.48 billion by 2030 with 6.2% CAGR growth rate

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• 3McoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSignet Armorlite serves as a distributor for 3M optical supplies including Press-On Optics® and LEAP Pads. These products are offered alongside the KODAK Lens product line, expanding the portfolio of optical solutions available to eyecare professionals.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Younger Optics: Younger Optics manufactures ophthalmic lenses including photochromic (Transitions), polarized, and progressive products. Direct peer in specialty lens categories that overlap with Signet Armorlite's photochromic and Drivewear offerings.
• Nikon-Essilor (Nikon Optical): Nikon Optical (a joint venture with Essilor) produces premium ophthalmic lenses including progressive, photochromic, and high-index products. A direct peer leveraging a strong consumer brand name similar to Signet Armorlite's KODAK brand play.
• Shamir Optical Industry: Shamir designs and manufactures progressive and single vision lenses, including photochromic and blue-light filtering products, distributed through ECPs and labs. Comparable product portfolio and channel model to Signet Armorlite.
• Seiko Optical Products: Seiko Optical Products manufactures premium progressive, single vision, and photochromic lenses distributed through ECPs. Comparable as a technology-forward lens maker in similar specialty categories to Signet Armorlite.
• HOYA Corporation (Vision Care): HOYA Vision Care manufactures ophthalmic lenses including progressive, single vision, photochromic, and blue-control products sold through ECPs and labs. Direct peer in the photochromic lenses market where Signet Armorlite is identified as a key player.
• Optima Inc. (Lens Dynamics): Optima is a US-based ophthalmic lens manufacturer producing progressive, single vision, and specialty lenses. Comparable in scale and channel model to Signet Armorlite as a mid-size independent US lens manufacturer.
• Carl Zeiss AG (Vision Care): Carl Zeiss Vision is a global manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses (progressive, single vision, photochromic, AR coatings) distributed through ECPs and labs. Directly competes with Signet Armorlite in the photochromic and premium lens segments.

Broad incumbents

• EssilorLuxottica: Signet Armorlite's ultimate parent company and the global leader in ophthalmic lenses and eyewear. Directly comparable as a manufacturer of progressive, single vision, photochromic, and AR-coated lenses distributed through eyecare professional channels worldwide.

Emerging players

• Transitions Optical (a joint venture of EssilorLuxottica and PPG): Transitions Optical is the leading photochromic lens material brand used across many manufacturers including Signet Armorlite. Partial overlap as a technology supplier/category leader that competes with and is also used by Signet Armorlite in its photochromic products.

Others

• 3M Optical Systems: 3M supplies optical products (Press-On Optics, LEAP Pads) that Signet Armorlite distributes. 3M is a partner/adjacent relationship rather than a direct competitor, but is a relevant ecosystem participant in the ophthalmic supplies channel Signet Armorlite serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SignetArmorlite
• Facebookfacebook.com/SignetArmorlite

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Signet Armorlite