SOLID FUNDAMENTALS
Essilor’s entry to the stock market, 3 years
after the merger between Essel and Silor, gave
the Group a solid foundation to grow. A pioneer
through major advances in ophthalmic optics
(the invention of the progressive lens, organic
lens and organic photochromic lens), Essilor has
made innovation and a strategy of partnerships
its pillars of growth. Since 1975, revenues have
multiplied by more than 60, the number of employees by 8, Group companies have increased
from 20 to more than 650 and its stock price has
risen on average 16% per year.
To go further in its mission, the Group has
strengthened its presence in fast-growing countries
and has enlarged its playing field to sunglasses and
online sales both of which offer new horizons for
growth. Multi- local, the Group and its partners
are present in 75 countries with industrial and
commercial activities close to eyecare professionals in order to better meet the specific needs
of local consumers.
The Group’s strength in innovation over 165
years and its unique commitment to good vision
for all were again recently recognized. Essilor
was ranked by Forbes for the fifth consecutive
year among the 100 most innovative companies
in the world and was also included by Fortune in
its first ever list of 51 companies that are
changing the world.
IMPROVING LIVES BY IMPROVING
SIGHT: A KEY CHALLENGE
At the heart of Essilor’s strategy, this mission
guides the work of teams around the world. Committed every day to advancing visual health, the
Group’s employees lead many actions that aim
to improve the access of 7.2 billion people on the
planet to correction, protection and prevention.
To serve the 2.5 billion people who don’t have
solutions for their visual needs, the Group has
developed new products, services and innovative
distribution models. In January 2015, Essilor also
created Vision For Life, a fund aiming to accelerate
initiatives that combat poor vision in the world.
EMPLOYEES AT THE HEART OF
A UNIQUE GOVERNANCE
Essilor is characterized by a strong commitment
of its 60 000 employees to its fundamental values
(innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, diversity,
respect and trust ...) which today are strong
assets for the future. In terms of governance and
shareholding, the Group has remained loyal to
its original values of participation in decisionmaking and an entrepreneurial culture. Today
nearly a quarter of Group employees are Essilor
shareholders. As members of the Valoptec Association, employee shareholders are represented
at the Board of Directors through three voted
members. They also participate in the Group’s
governance through an annual vote of confidence
in the company’s strategy and human
resources policies.
EYE FOCUS | December Digital 2015 2