Essilor Making Its Presence Known around the Globe

Essilor has further expanded its presence in fast-growing markets by signing five new partnership agreements in North Africa, Latin America, and the U.S.

• Essilor acquired a 65% interest in the Morocan lens distributor Optibenand a 65%-stake in the lab VST Lab.
• In Tunisia, Essilor may acquire majority interest in the lab SIVO and SICOM.
• The company strengthened its presence in equipment with a subsidiary's purchase of a majority stake in Brazilian CM Equipamentos Ópticos de Precisão. 
• It acquired the €2.5-million Dominican Republic lab Opti Express.
• It set up a sales subsidiary in Colombia, called Essilor Colombia.
• In the United States, it acquired a majority stake in the $32-million, California-based CSC Laboratories and the $3-million Professional Ophthalmic Laboratories, in Roanoke, Virgina.