Category Letter of the month

There are still things that neither AI nor 3D printers can do.

Published: 16 July 2026

Author: APPENZELLER KONTAKTLINSEN AG

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Monthly Letter July 2026

Speicher, 16. July 2026

Dear Madam or Sir

Recently, a World Cup trophy appeared in our building.

Not quite the real one, of course. The real trophy is probably guarded a little more closely and certainly isn't as beautifully Appenzeller blue as ours. Our trophy came from a 3D printer. Ever since it moved in, there has been a certain enthusiasm for printing around here. At our facility in Speicher, we no longer produce only custom-made contact lenses. Among the popular i-INSERTs, you can now also find geckos and small APKL trophies.

Now, trophies are an interesting thing.

At the moment, half the world is looking at that one trophy. And when I look at our industry, I sometimes feel that nowadays there seems to be a trophy or award for almost everything.

In my opinion, however, the most important awards cannot be presented on a stage.
They are called trust and appreciation.

Trust cannot be printed. Not even with our 3D printer. I tried. All that came out was another gecko.

That is why we are especially delighted that in June, OPTICON in Austria honored us with the Supplier Award in the Contact Lens category.

i-KO, our 3D gecko: Perhaps one has already found its way to you in one of our deliveries?

Great delight for Philipp Stoiber (left) upon receiving the opticon Supplier Award 2025.

To me, this award makes something visible:

good work. Reliability. Expertise. Goodwill. A field sales team that listens. A Professional Service team that does not merely answer the phone, but solves problems. I am sure you know these moments from your own business as well.

The customer who has been coming to you for twenty years. The client who recommends you to others. Employees who travel many miles because they genuinely enjoy working with you.
I believe that, in the end, these are the moments that truly matter. Let's simply call them trophies.

We hope you enjoy great success with our contact lenses. Best regards, and see you next time.

M’hamed Bouhlal
Managing Director Appenzeller Kontaktlinsen AG

There are still things that neither AI nor 3D printers can do.

Published: 16 July 2026

Author: APPENZELLER KONTAKTLINSEN AG

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Monthly Letter July 2026

Speicher, 16. July 2026

Dear Madam or Sir

This month, I am using this letter a little differently. Instead of recommending, announcing or explaining something new, I would simply like to share a few impressions from our summer gathering, which we celebrated last Friday here in Speicher. Claudia Kobbert travelled all the way from Frankfurt, Christina Fial from Bavaria. Karolina Keller organised the entire event with such dedication that you almost wonder when she ever takes a break.

Friday evening. No one had to stay. But everyone did – well into the night.

Bernd and I found ourselves having the same thought more than once that evening: Sitting together late into the night on a Friday, and deliberately not talking about contact lenses for once, makes us—quite frankly—feel grateful. And yes, also a little proud.

Here in Speicher, we are fortunate to work with people who are not only professionally driven, continuously improving and passionate about contact lenses, but who also know each other, trust each other and genuinely enjoy working – and spending time – together. That is a real advantage. For us, and ultimately for you.

A team that sticks together addresses issues more quickly, supports one another without hesitation, and collaborates with clarity and precision.

And that shows. In the quality of our work. If there is one thing I would like to leave you with about Appenzeller Contact Lenses, it is perhaps this: At a time when many teams in the market is being reshuffled or are still trying to find their footing, we are able here in Speicher to simply continue doing our work. With consistency.
With a team that continues to grow. And in which everyone has their place.

That may not sound spectacular. But it is exactly what makes innovation possible in the long term.

And that is what ultimately reaches you: Contact lenses that fit.

We hope you enjoy great success with our contact lenses. Best regards, and see you next time.

M’hamed Bouhlal
Managing Director Appenzeller Kontaktlinsen AG

There are still things that neither AI nor 3D printers can do.

Monthly Letter July 2026

Dear Madam or Sir

Recently, a World Cup trophy appeared in our building.

Now, trophies are an interesting thing.

In my opinion, however, the most important awards cannot be presented on a stage.
They are called trust and appreciation.

To me, this award makes something visible:

More posts on this topic:

Hiking trail or cable car: the main thing is reaching Säntis.

Summer gathering: Check. Team: Top. Appenzeller Kontaktlinsen: Passt.

Schnell & effizient oder entspannt & gründlich?

There are still things that neither AI nor 3D printers can do.

Monthly Letter July 2026

Dear Madam or Sir

Friday evening. No one had to stay. But everyone did – well into the night.

A team that sticks together addresses issues more quickly, supports one another without hesitation, and collaborates with clarity and precision.

That may not sound spectacular. But it is exactly what makes innovation possible in the long term.

More posts on this topic:

Hiking trail or cable car: the main thing is reaching Säntis.

Summer gathering: Check. Team: Top. Appenzeller Kontaktlinsen: Passt.

Schnell & effizient oder entspannt & gründlich?

Registration as authorized dealer of APPENZELLER CONTACT LENSES:

There are still things that neither AI nor 3D printers can do.

Monthly Letter July 2026

Dear Madam or Sir

Recently, a World Cup trophy appeared in our building.

Now, trophies are an interesting thing.

In my opinion, however, the most important awards cannot be presented on a stage. They are called trust and appreciation.

To me, this award makes something visible:

More posts on this topic:

Hiking trail or cable car: the main thing is reaching Säntis.

Summer gathering: Check. Team: Top. Appenzeller Kontaktlinsen: Passt.

Schnell & effizient oder entspannt & gründlich?

There are still things that neither AI nor 3D printers can do.

Monthly Letter July 2026

Dear Madam or Sir

Friday evening. No one had to stay. But everyone did – well into the night.

A team that sticks together addresses issues more quickly, supports one another without hesitation, and collaborates with clarity and precision.

That may not sound spectacular. But it is exactly what makes innovation possible in the long term.

More posts on this topic:

Hiking trail or cable car: the main thing is reaching Säntis.

Summer gathering: Check. Team: Top. Appenzeller Kontaktlinsen: Passt.

Schnell & effizient oder entspannt & gründlich?

In my opinion, however, the most important awards cannot be presented on a stage.
They are called trust and appreciation.