Essilor International

Essilor International SA, known for owning the iconic eyewear brand Ray-Ban, is a company steeped in history and innovation. Founded in 1849 as Essel, the company has grown from a small network of eyeglass assembly workshops in Paris into the world's largest manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses. Its headquarters are located in Charenton-le-Pont, near Paris, France.

The company's journey began with the merger of two French companies, Essel and Silor, in 1972. Essel, which stands for Société des Lunetteries, was already known for its frame design and trade activities, and it achieved a significant breakthrough in 1959 with the invention of Varilux, the world's first progressive lens. This innovation allowed for clear vision at near, intermediate, and far distances, addressing the issue of presbyopia. Silor, which started as Lissac in 1931, was a retailer of ophthalmic lenses and frames before becoming a lens manufacturer. In the same year that Essel invented Varilux, Silor discovered the Orma 1000 lens, made from a lightweight material that revolutionized the industry.

The merger of Essel and Silor to form Essilor marked the creation of a new leader in the optical field. The company continued to expand its reach and product range, eventually merging with the Italian eyewear giant Luxottica in January 2017. This merger resulted in the formation of EssilorLuxottica, a holding company with a combined market capitalization of approximately €57 billion as of October 2018.

Essilor International's commitment to improving vision extends beyond its products. The company is also involved in research and development, aiming to innovate further in the field of ophthalmic optics. It offers a range of corrective lenses for visual disorders such as myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism. Additionally, Essilor is dedicated to corporate social responsibility, with initiatives that aim to address global vision care challenges.

With a workforce of around 69,000 employees as of 2020, Essilor International continues to lead the market in prescription glasses and optical products. Its portfolio includes not only Ray-Ban but also other renowned brands such as Varilux, Clearly, Eyebuydirect, Foster Grant, and Vision Source. The company's influence and products are felt worldwide, with a presence in both retail and online markets, ensuring that Essilor remains at the forefront of the optical industry.