ESSILOR (EPA:EL) ESSILOR : Essilor steps up its international development

Transparency directive : regulatory news

22/01/2010 06:30

News Release

Essilor steps up its international development with ten new partnerships

Charenton-le-Pont, France (January 22, 2010 - 6:30 a.m.) - Essilor International
has signed ten acquisition or partnership agreements in its five global
operating regions since October 2009. These companies generate combined annual
revenue of around EUR35 million.

-> Two transactions in Europe to strengthen the multi-network strategy
In France, Novisia, an Essilor subsidiary and the exclusive distributor of Nikon
lenses in continental Europe, has acquired a majority stake in Mont-Royal, a
lens distributor with a prescription laboratory in Goeztenbruck, in the Lorraine
region, and annual revenue of around EUR10 million. The acquisition will
strengthen Mont-Royal's market presence while helping to speed Novisia's
development in France.

In the UK, the Company has acquired a 95% equity interest in Horizon, a
laboratory located in Bedfordshire, north of London, with annual revenue of
EUR3.4 million.

-> Three transactions in North America to broaden the geographical coverage of
the prescription laboratory network
In the United States, Essilor has increased its market share by acquiring a
majority or all the interest in three prescription laboratories: Ultimate
Optical in Florida, with $6.3 million in annual revenue, Optical Dimensions in
Michigan, with $3.7 million in annual revenue, and Truckee Meadows Optical in
Nevada, with $3 million in annual revenue.

-> A third transaction in Latin America
Following its equity investments in the Unilab and Technopark prescription
laboratories, the Company has acquired a 51% stake in GBO, a major distributor
of finished and semi-finished lenses in Sao Paolo with 2009 revenue of
approximately EUR3 million.

-> Two transactions in China and India to strengthen Essilor's local market
presence
Essilor is expanding its coverage of the Chinese market with the acquisition of
an ophthalmic lens manufacturer, Danyang ILT Optics Co. Ltd. The company
generates revenue of nearly EUR7 million in the domestic and export markets.

In India, Essilor has acquired Lens and Spects (EUR0.45 million in revenue),
which comprises a distributor and two prescription laboratories operating in
four cities in western India.

-> Two transactions in the Middle East and Africa to drive growth in new
regions
Following its acquisition of an equity interest in Dubai-based Amico, Essilor is
pursuing its development in the Middle East. Essilor Amico Middle East FZCo has
acquired a majority stake in Ghanada Optical Co. LLC (EUR1.7 million in
revenue), a prescription laboratory located in Abu Dhabi that serves the United
Arab Emirates and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Essilor is strengthening its positions in South Africa with the acquisition of
Vision Optics (EUR0.7 million in revenue), a prescription laboratory based in
Durban.

Essilor International is the world leader in ophthalmic optical products,
offering a wide range of lenses under the fla gship Varilux(r), Crizal(r) ,
Essilor(r), Definity(r) and Xperio(TM) brands to correct myopia, hyperopia,
astigmatism and presbyopia. Essilor operates worldwide through a broad network
of mass-production facilities, lens finishing laboratories and distribution
centers.
The Essilor share trades on the NYSE Euronext Paris market and is included in
the CAC 40 index. Codes and symbols: ISIN: FR FR0000121667; Reuters: ESSI.PA;
Bloomberg: EI:FP.

                  Investor Relations and Financial Communications
                        Véronique Gillet - Sébastien Leroy
                             Phone: +33 1 49 77 42 16
                                  www.essilor.com

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