Randolph Engineering
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Eyewear manufacturing |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founder | Jan Waszkiewicz, Stanley Zaleski |
| Headquarters | Randolph, Massachusetts , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Jan Waszkiewicz, Stanley Zaleski |
| Products | Sunglasses, shooting glasses, prescription eyewear |
Number of employees | 68 (as of 1982) |
| Website | www |
Randolph Engineering, Inc. is a U.S.-based producer specializing in sunglasses, shooting glasses, and prescription eyewear, headquartered in Randolph, Massachusetts. It serves as the primary supplier of aviator sunglasses to the United States military.
History
Established in 1973 by business partners Jan Waszkiewicz and Stanley Zaleski, Randolph Engineering initially focused on creating optical instruments and machinery designed for eyewear fabrication. Waszkiewicz, an alumnus of Northeastern University with prior experience at American Optical and Marine Optical, sought to enhance the equipment used in eyeglass frame manufacturing. Eventually, the company transitioned towards manufacturing its own line of eyewear utilizing its proprietary machinery.
In 1977, Randolph secured its inaugural government contract. By 1982, it had become the lead contractor producing military-style Type HGU-4/P aviator sunglasses for the United States Department of Defense, delivering 200,000 pairs to branches including the Navy, Air Force, and Army with a workforce numbering 68.
During the early 1990s, Randolph broadened its market reach to include civilian consumers. By 2008, its offerings expanded to feature specialty sunglasses designed for law enforcement officers, security professionals, outdoor athletes, and other occupations requiring precision vision.
As of December 2011, Randolph Engineering maintained Defense Logistics Agency contracts exceeding $38 million and reported sales near $8 million that year. All products are assembled domestically at their Randolph, Massachusetts facility, incorporating a limited number of international components. Distribution channels encompass their official website, major retail outlets, and global distributors. Additionally, the company supplies military units worldwide, including forces in Australia, Belgium, Israel, and Jordan.
In acknowledgment of its achievements in international commerce, Randolph was honored with the 1997 Massachusetts Product Export Achievement Award by the Alliance for the Commonwealth and the Massachusetts Port Authority.
Notable products
Randolph Engineering's offerings are categorized into three principal lines: Sunglass Series, Ranger Series, and Rx Series.
- Sunglasses
- Aviator — Military-specification HGU4/P style sunglasses
- Concorde — Classic teardrop aviator design utilized by U.S. military aviators since World War II
- Crew Chief — Preferred by aircraft mechanics and ground crew personnel
- Intruder — Aviator model featuring larger lenses for enhanced eye protection
- P3 — Also known as the Submariner; standard issue for U.S. Navy personnel
- Raptor — Wrap-around frame designed to improve side coverage
- Sportsman — Teardrop-shaped sunglasses variant
- Corsair — Named after the Vought F4U Corsair
- Shooting glasses
- Ranger Falcon — Features a one-piece shield lens
- Ranger XLW — 8-base wrap frame optimized for sport shooting activities
- Ranger Edge — Developed in collaboration with leading opticians to deliver professional optical quality
- Ranger Classic — The original shooting frame from Randolph
- Ranger Sporter — Compatible with nearly all prescriptions
Manufacturing processes
Randolph Engineering produces shooting eyewear, sunglasses, and prescription glasses primarily modeled on traditional aviator designs. Every pair is crafted through an exacting 200-step manual process at their 22,000-square-foot facility located in the United States. The company manufactures roughly 53,000 pairs each month.
In addition to eyewear production, Randolph formulates its own robust solder flux and backs every solder joint with a lifetime replacement warranty, highlighting its dedication to quality and reliability. Their matte chrome 52 mm Aviators are standard issue for helicopter pilots within the Navy and Army. In 2011, they introduced the Michael Bastian Signature Series to their product lineup.
With a global presence spanning over 400 retail partners, Randolph Engineering competes directly with major industry brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley by emphasizing its American-made craftsmanship and military heritage as distinctive selling points.