Essilor increases market share in every region

Essilor announced an 11 per cent rise in revenue for 2006 over 2005 at €2,690m.

'In a favourable environment for ophthalmic lenses, Essilor benefited considerably from worldwide demand for Varilux Physio, its mass-market progressive lens launched at the beginning of the year, and increased its market share in every region.'

Essilor added that there was an improvement in the product mix, resulting from the success of Varilux Physio and solid growth in sales of progressive lenses, high-index plastic lenses and polycarbonate materials, with high-value anti-reflection and photochromic lenses.

Fourth-quarter revenue was up 7.4 per cent. Essilor said that 2006 was a good year in Europe, with France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Eastern European countries turning in the best results.