Essilor International S.A. is a French company that produces ophthalmic lenses
along with ophthalmic optical equipment. It is based in Charenton-le-Pont,
France, and quoted on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange. It is a component of the
Euro Stoxx 50 share index. Essilor is responsible for creating
Varilux, the world's first progressive lens which corrects presbyopia and
allows clear vision in the wearer's near, intermediate and far vision. The
company formed from the merger of ophthalmic firms Essel and Silor in
1972. Essilor now operates in over 100 countries over five continents. Its
activities are largely focused on research and development. It is the
world's largest manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses.
History = 1849–1972: Essel and Silor=
Essel was founded in 1849 as a small network of eyeglass assembly workshops
in Paris. It quickly expanded in the late 19th and early 20th century through
the acquisition of factories in nearby Parisian neighbourhoods and in Eastern
France. Essel soon added frame design and trade to its activities. The firm
launched a frame design in 1955 called Nylor which is still used today. The
Nylor system introduced a thin nylon thread which embraces the lens and is
fixed to the frame’s higher branch. Essel's breakthrough came in 1959 with
the invention of Varilux, the first ophthalmic progressive lens.
Silor first started under the name Lissac in 1931 as a retailer of
ophthalmic lenses and frames before becoming a lens manufacturer. In 1959,
the same year Essel invented the progressive lens, Lissac made a
discovery of its own: the Orma 1000 lens, made from a lightweight material.
= 1972–1979: Beginning of Essilor= After many years as rivals, Essel and
Silor merged on 1 January 1972 to form Essilor, the then third-largest
ophthalmic optical firm in the world. Essilor’s first year of existence was
marked by two events: the creation of Valoptec, a non-trading company composed
of stock-holder managers which held half of the company’s capital stock, and the
purchase of Benoist-Bethiot, a French lens manufacturer specializing in the
production of progressive lenses. In the mid 1970s, Essilor focused on
becoming a true optical group specializing in the plastic progressive
lens. Many subsidiary activities are first sold off, but in 1974, Essilor
fused Benoist-Bethiot with Guilbert-Routit, creating a subsidiary
called BBGR. In 1975, the company was listed on the stock exchange. The
innovations by Essel and Silor, Essilor’s predecessors, lead to the
launch of the Varilux Orma in 1976 . The late 1970s were marked by Essilor’s
change in strategy of geographical expansion. By making the acquisition of
manufacturing plants in the United States, in Ireland and in the
Philippines, Essilor began its transformation from being a mainly
exporting company to being an international company.
= 1980–1989: International growth= The 1980s began with intensified
competition. To cut costs and improve service, Essilor purchased four new
plants in four years, in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Thailand. In France,
new instruments facilitated the automation of the manufacturing process.
Many distributors were acquired or merged with Essilor in Europe and in
Asia. In the United States, all subsidiaries
were brought together under the Essilor of America umbrella. This global network
allowed Essilor to launch a new Varilux lens called the VMD in Europe and the
United States. = 1990–1999: Partnerships and Varilux
Comfort= To maintain its position as a world
leader, Essilor gradually withdrew its frames operations to concentrate on
corrective lenses. Employing a value added strategy, the company launched the
Crizal coating, offering lens resistance against scratches, reflections and
smudges. Essilor also formed a partnership with PPG, an American
company, to offer the Transitions photochromic lens, a technology that
allows a lens to become darker or lighter depending on the intensity of
ambient light. Through the acquisition of Gentex, Essilor was also able to
launch the Airwear polycarbonate lens, a light and unbreakable lens material.
Finally, the fourth generation of the Varilux was launched under the name
Varilux Comfort. = 2000–2010=
At the beginning of the 21st century, Essilor launched the Varilux Physio, a
lens that derives its performance from the Twin RX Technology which combines
the wavefront management system to calculate lens optics, along with a
production technique called advanced digital surfacing. Finally, in 2005,
Essilor entered the French CAC 40 stock market.
In 2007 Essilor launched the Essilor Vision Foundation in the USA. This
organization was created in order to run vision tests in schools to detect vision
problems. The follow-up care and glasses are provided by Essilor Vision
Foundation for children in need. Essilor buys Satisloh in 2008. The
acquisition of the Swiss company aimed at offering a wider range of products
for the consumer. Two years later, Essilor launched a
merger with Shamir Optical Industry. Essilor acquired 50% of the
kibbutz-based company. Shamir Optical Industry took advantage of Essilor's
worldwide distribution network, and developed its activity by launching new
products. In 2010 Essilor acquired FGX
International, an American company whose brands include Foster Grant.
= 2010–present= Essilor acquired 50% of the Chinese
company Wanxin Optical in 2011. The growth drivers for the Chinese market
are the aging population and the increase of reimbursement for eye care.
The 40th anniversary of the merger between Essel and Silor took place in
July 2012. This was the occasion to highlight their contributions and
improvements on technologies. In September 2012, Essilor involved in
the Special Olympics for 10 more years. The ophtalmic lenses supplier provided
almost 100,000 free eyeglasses to the athletes since 2002.
In May 2013, Safilo and Essilor agreed on a 10-year licensing deal allowing
Essilor to use Safilo's Polaroid brand for the making of polarized eye lenses.
In July 2013, Essilor announced the buying of 51% of Transitions Optical's
stakes from PPG Industries. Essilor will then hold 100% of Transitions Optical.
The deal is to be closed in the first semester of 2014. The transaction aims
at developing Essilor's leadership in lenses that adapt to changing light.
In March 2014, Essilor announced the acquisition of the Canadian online
distributor Coastal.com. Essilor aims at reinforcing its presence online, adding
Coastal.com to its online subsidiaries such as MyOnlineOptical, FramesDirect
and EyeBuyDirect. On 25 November 2014, Essilor won 4
awards at the First Edition of the Vision-X VP Awards. Essilor’s Varilux S
Series won the award for Most Popular Lens, while the Transitions Signature
VII won the Most Popular Lens award. Its Crizal Forte UV and Mr Blue were voted
the Most Popular Lens Coating/Value Add and Best Value Enhancer.
In 2015, the U.S. subsidiary of Essilor International acquired Vision Source, a
service network of independent optometrists, from Brazos Equity
Partners LLC for an undisclosed amount. Research and development
Essilor’s research and development team includes 550 researchers at in its three
Innovation and Technology Centers in France, the United States and Asia. In
Singapore, the Centre for Innovation and Technology and the International Vision
Academy are housed in a new facility, called Kallang Bahru.
In 2014, Essilor was ranked 49th on Forbes listing of most innovative
companies in the world. The brand is the 4th French company of the ranking.
= Institut de la Vision= Essilor participate in the Institut de
la Vision de Paris, inaugurated in December 2008. This institute is a
research center on ocular pathologies. The development of technologies
improving the life of visually impaired people is the main goal of this
partnership. = Vision Impact Institute=
In March 2013 was launched the Vision Impact Institute, endorsed by Essilor.
People from Essilor and Boston Consulting Group take part in this
project. This institute aims at collecting data about impaired vision
and its socio-economic impact. One of the first research results available on
the website of the institute demonstrated impaired vision caused a
loss of US$269 billion in productivity each year in the world.
In collaboration with Singapore Indian Development Association, Essilor
launched in May 2014 Vision Foundation, in order to provide eye exams for
children belonging to low-income families.
= Dioptric loop method= With the launch of 'Varilux Comfort in
1993, Essilor developed the dioptic loop method, making it possible to gauge
wearer satisfaction. It involves using repetition until an effective result is
achieved for the wearer. It comprises five stages:
Collection of the wearer’s physiological data
Optical design Creation of prototype lenses
Measurement control Clinical tests
= Crizal Prevencia= Essilor launched a research in
partnership with the Institut de la Vision in France in order to determine
the wavelength of the light, emitted by the sun, LEDs, computers or smartphones,
which leads to degeneration of retina cells, and age-related macular
degenaration This preventive lens was launched in 2013.
= Virtual reality= Essilor's research department
particularly concentrates on the combined progress of two complementary
disciplines: optics and physiology, with particular recourse to virtual reality.
A simulation tool that makes it possible to perceive and interact in 3D in a
multi-sensory way. Researchers today use a virtual
visualization system, equipped with algorithms and modeling developed by
Essilor to explore new optical solutions that can be tested directly on wearers.
This simulator makes it possible to vary the optical properties of the lenses
tested, study optical effects and immediately gauge wearer satisfaction.
In order to do so, a magnetic sensor records a subject's head movements and
images that show the eyes' exact viewpoint 120 times per second. After
testing, the results are used to fine-tune the performance of the lenses
in question. In 2008, the Varilux Ipseo New Edition was designed using Essilor's
Virtual Reality system. = Sun protection factor e-SPF=
Essilor’s eye sun protection factor was launched in 2012. The factor, inspired
by sunscreen rates, is a new system to help the consumer find the best global
eye protection. Moreover, the e-SPF takes into account UV rays reflecting
off the back of the lens into the eye. Therefore, treated lenses block the UV,
responsible for eye damages, such as cataracts and DMLA. These treated lenses
are retailed globally under the Crizal UV brand.
= Nikon-Essilor Co. Ltd.= In 1999, Essilor and Nikon have signed a
Memorandum of understanding to form a global strategic alliance in corrective
lenses by forming a 50 / 50 joint venture in Japan to be called
Nikon-Essilor Co. Ltd. The main purpose of the joint venture is
to further strengthen the corrective lens business of both companies. This
will be achieved through the integrated strengths of Nikon's strong brand backed
up by advanced optical technology and strong sales network in Japanese market,
coupled with the high productivity and worldwide marketing and sales network of
Essilor, the world leader in this industry.
Nikon-Essilor Co. Ltd. started its business in January 2000, responsible
for research, development, production and sales mainly for ophthalmic optics.
= Varilux= In June 2014, Bernard Maitenaz,
Essilor’s former CEO, received the Apollo Award from the American
Optometric Association. This prize rewards people who acted in favor of
visual health. He received this distinction for having invented, in
1959, the Varilux progressive lenses. = Optifog=
After the launch of an Optifog cloth in January 2014, a new generation of
Optifog lenses was launched in July 2014. These lenses contain fog repellent
properties, making the use of a special liquid unnecessary.
Corporate Social Responsibility The Ethiopian programme Vision Aid
Overseas received the support of Essilor in order to increase the number of
optometrists and healthcare professionals. This initiative will also
develop eye exams for children. During the World Sight Day 2014, Essilor
India organised Walkathon or ‘Walk for Vision’ in 35 locations across 16 cities
to raise awareness among people regarding eye health.
Corporate affairs = Board of directors=
As of 2014, the firm's board of directors consists of:
Hubert Sagnières, Chairman and CEO Xavier Fontanet, Former Chairman of the
Board of Directors Philippe Alfroid, Former Chief Operating
Officer Benoit Bazin, Former Deputy Chief
Operating Officer Antoine Bernard de Saint Afrique,
Executive Vice President of Unilever Yves Chevillote, Former Chief Operating
Officer of Crédit Agricole Franck Henrionnet, Employees
representative Yi He, Chief Executive Officer of
Essilor in China and representative of Valoptec Association
Bernard Hours, Chief Operating Officer of Groupe Danone
Maurice Marchand-Tonel, independent consultant
Aïcha Mokdahi, Chief Executive Officer of Essilor Europe supply chain and
President of Valoptec Association Olivier Pécoux, Associate Manager of
Rothschild & Cie Banque Michel Rose, Lafarge Former Chief
Operating Officer Louise Fréchette, Associate of Centre
for International Governance Innovation Maureen Cavanagh, representative of
employee shareholders = Executive committee=
As of 2014: Hubert Sagnières - Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer Paul du Saillant - Chief Operating
Officer Laurent Vacherot - Chief Operating
Officer Tadeu Alves - President, Latin America
Eric Bernard - Chief Operating Officer, Essilor China
Carl Bracy - Corporate Senior Vice President, Marketing and Development,
Essilor of America Patrick Cherrier - President South Asia,
ASEAN, Middle East, South Africa Bernard Duverneuil - Corporate Senior
Vice-President, Information Systems Marc François-Brazier - Corporate Senior
Vice-President, Human Resources Norbert Gorny - Chief Operating Officer,
Central Europe Réal Goulet - President of Essilor
Laboratories of America Lena Henry - Director of Strategy
Eric Léonard - President, Essilor of America
Frédéric Mathieu - Human Resources Director
Bernhard Nuesser - President, Essilor Europe
Eric Perrier - Corporate Senior Vice President, Research and Development
Géraldine Picaud - Chief Financial Officer
Patrick Poncin - Corporate Senior Vice President, Global Engineering
Alain Riveline - Strategic Marketing Director
Thierry Robin - Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
Bertrand Roy - Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
Kevin Rupp - Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Finance &
Administration, Essilor Of America Jean-Luc Schuppiser - Project Director,
"Digital Surfacing Strategic Opportunity"
Eric Thoreux - Corporate Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing
Carol Xueref - Corporate Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs and Development
Jayanth Bhuvaraghan - Chief Corporate Mission Officer
Lucia Dumas - Senior Vice President Corporate Communications
Jayanth Bhuvaraghan is in charge of the coordination of the initiatives aiming
at improving vision. = Sales=
Based on its 2012 Annual Report, 89% of Essilor's turnover comes from the sale
of ophthalmic lenses and 11% is driven by other activities, such as equipment
sales and readers. 31% of its sales are based in Europe,
34.9% in North America, 6.9% in Latin America with the remaining 16% based out
of Asia-Oceania and Middle East-Africa. Essilor expected more than 7%
like-for-like sales growth for 2013. For 2014, Essilor aims at 10% to 12%
revenue growth, thanks to a development in emerging markets. Furthermore, the
online sales could help achieve this goal.
See also Hubert Sagnières
References External links
Official website