Projects

Vision Statement

Leading contact lens provider looks to Quick Start for accelerated training

After Alcon, the world’s leading provider of eye-care products, made the decision to invest $500 million and create 550 new jobs at its Georgia facility in the Atlanta suburb of Johns Creek, the company’s leadership knew what was next on their list of things to do.

Call Quick Start.

“People certainly had to learn quickly, and we didn’t have the staff nor the resources,” said Bob DeVed, director of human resources. “Lo and behold, Quick Start does.”

Quick Start and Alcon first partnered in 2012 when the company launched its DAILIES® brand, DAILIES TOTAL1®. To facilitate training development, a Quick Start team conducted a project study at the Alcon manufacturing facility in Germany, documenting technology and operations.

Technicians received PLC and electrical training in order to keep the complex interfaces of the machinery functioning properly — especially critical during the technological upgrades accompanying expansions. During the company’s expansion in Johns Creek, Quick Start offered the same type of training.

“What we have really learned is the name Quick Start really is the difference,” said Jason Mastry, head of LS1 manufacturing for Alcon in Johns Creek. “It’s not that any manufacturing organization can’t start on its own, but Quick Start accelerates it. And that’s the key piece.”

Industry Category

Headquarters

Geneva, Switzerland

Brand Proposition

Alcon aspires to improve lives, strengthen communities and create long-term value by innovating products that improve sight.

Technical College Partner(s)

Gwinnett Technical College

“Any manufacturing company coming to Georgia who does not partner with Quick Start will be missing the biggest opportunity to help them succeed.”

— Bob DeVed, Alcon director of Human Resources

Technicians working for Alcon received PLC and electrical training in order to keep the complex interfaces of the machinery functioning properly.

Alcon’s Johns Creek facility is focused on production, F&D and distribution for its brands such as Dailies Total1.

At least 80 percent of Alcon’s workforce associated with its Johns Creek expansion had never worked in the contact lens industry before.

A view through a microscope of an Alcon contact lens as employees look for defects.

An in-depth animation produced by Quick Start for Alcon employees illustrating how the eye captures and sends light to the optic nerve.