MEMPHIS, TN, April 20, 1998 – American Paper Optics, Inc. announces the selection of owner and 3D aficionado, John Jerit, as the Memphis Business Journal, Small Business Executive of the Year. Thirty-five-year-old Jerit, is one of the youngest entrepreneurs in the 18-year history of the awards to receive the honor on April 7.
Jerit’s 3D “vision” and entrepreneurial spirit has transformed a disposable, paper novelty business into a 3D glasses empire with revenues jumping from $125,000 in 1990 to $4.8 million last year. American Paper Optics has produced over 250 million paper eye glasses for 3D-oriented promotions involving movies, television, web sites, theme park attractions, laser light shows, and fireworks displays.
“The thing that most surprised me about getting this award was that it was fun,” says Jerit. “Typically, when you think of award-winning businesses, you think of a more corporate, stiff approach. Paper 3D glasses is a legitimate business, but it is also kind of a silly business.” As the mastermind behind the marketing of paper 3D eye glasses, Jerit has sold these “silly” glasses all over the world—shipped directly from his 9600 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Bartlett, TN.
In 1991, American Paper Optics received national notoriety as manufacturer of 11 million 3D glasses for the Nightmare on Elm Street sequel, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare. Jerit soon followed up by producing 8 million glasses for a television promotion of Fox’s Married with Children and Revenge of the Nerds IV. Last year, American Paper Optics also provided the U.S. Postal Service with over 2 million 3D glasses for its successful Hollywood Monsters promotion in Stampers magazine.
Since 1990, American Paper Optics has become the world’s leading supplier of paper 3D glasses. Jerit attributes dedication to customer service and investing in cutting-edge manufacturing techniques as keys to his success. “There are a lot of good ideas,” says Jerit. “But, unless you can bring that idea to market, it is meaningless. It is easy to have an idea for a new product and to get that product made—when all is said and done, it is the marketing and distributing that gets it out there.”
Andrew Balogh, eight-year employee and vice president of sales, said, “John is very driven and detail-oriented–these qualities seem to serve the needs of our customers extremely well.” Jerit’s drive and determination paid off when American Paper Optics recently delivered 750,000 glasses to the Toronto Star in just under six days for the 3D viewing of the Mars Pathfinder images, 20 million glasses in 90 days for a television promotion in Mexico and 6 million glasses in 60 days for a Denny’s restaurant promotional tie-in with Twentieth Century Fox’s Anastasia.
For more information about John Jerit and American Paper Optics, please contact:
Jason Lewin – Marketing Director
American Paper Optics, LLC
2995 Appling Road, Suite 106
Bartlett, TN 38133
Phone: 1-800-767-8427
Fax: 901-381-1517
email: Jason@3dglassesonline.com
