If John Jerit’s Bartlett-based company promoted the success of its 3D paper glasses like a billboard touting the number of customers served at a fast food restaurant, the string of zeroes would jump off the sign toward you. And, there would be plenty of zeroes. Nine to be exact, representing more than 1 billion served. That’s right. Billion.
On Tuesday, the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce honored Jerit, owner of American Paper Optics, with its Entrepreneur of the Year Award for resurrecting an old idea and turning it into a profitable business.”This is terrific for me coming off a great year,” Jerit told members gathered at Colonial Country Club for the luncheon meeting.
Jerit’s company is the world largest manufacturer of 3D glasses, operating in a 13,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on Bartlett Corporate Drive and in the midst of moving to an even larger operation. The business has grown from hanging on through a modest start almost 20 years ago to becoming an integral part of the entertainment industry. And the concept becomes more impressive when a product that sells for pennies is transformed into $20 million in sales.
John Threadgill, president and chief executive officer of the chamber, said Jerit’s story is an example of the “entrepreneurial spirit” the group looks to recognize. “John took an idea, a vision if you will, and created a market,” Threadgill said in a statement about the award. “It takes someone very special to turn a simple pair of paper 3D glasses and instigate an entire industry.”
The company started in 1990 with fireworks glasses using 3D, a concept that was attempted for movies in the 1950s. American Paper Optics continued to grow from that base — slowly at first — creating 3D glasses in a variety of styles, colors and themes. Over the years, the demand has grown as new technology made 3D more prominent in movies and advertising. That includes 11 million glasses distributed for the 1991 Nightmare on Elm Street sequel “Freddy’s Dead; The Final Nightmare,” to a 16 million-piece order for Mattel’s release of Barbie Pegasus in 3-D in 2005.
Earlier this year, American Paper Optics was the official provider of glasses for the Super Bowl, manufacturing 134 million pairs for use with a preview for the animated “Monsters vs. Aliens,” a commercial, and a 3D episode of “Chuck” the following night.
The success has continued despite the struggling economy. Jerit said his company is not suffering because the movie industry is using 3D to get people into theaters. The more they use the idea, the more success for Jerit and his company. And the idea is extending to some DVD movies after they finish their theater runs. But Jerit said for those companies that are struggling, the best advice he has it to hang on. “It’s going to turn the corner. It’s going to get better,” he said.
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
