Blog

August 4, 2017April 24, 2018

Johnson & Johnson Vision to Acquire TearScience

Johnson & Johnson Vision announced through a company press release Friday that it will acquire TearScience through Abbott Medical Optics, which J & J previously acquired in fall 2016. The terms of the deal are expected to be released before the end of the year.

TearScience are the developers of “an office-based approach to imaging and treating meibomian gland dysfunction.”

“Dry Eye is a significant unmet health need globally, and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction is the cause for more than 60% of people living with this condition,” said Ashley McEvoy, Company Group Chairman of Johnson & Johnson Vision. “The innovative portfolio from TearScience positively impacts the lives of patients around the world suffering from this chronic condition. These solutions, coupled with our existing contact lens and surgical portfolio, will allow us to help more patients with their vision needs, throughout their lifetime.”

August 3, 2017May 20, 2026

KitKat is Delicious and Eccentric

Spectacle Eyworks launches KitKat. The steel frame has distinct cutouts along the outside with subtle angular form. It is eccentric, edgy and lightweight. Its colour was inspired by the shades that a maple leaf goes through in different stages of its life.

www.spec-eyeworks.com

August 1, 2017April 24, 2018

Essilor Revenue Up in First Half of 2017

The Board of Directors of Essilor International met on July 27 to approve the financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Consolidated revenue amounted to €3,909 million in the first six months of 2017, an increase of 6.9% at constant exchange rates. Free cash flow advanced 34% as reported and 13% excluding exceptional charges.

Revenue growth in the Lenses & Optical Instruments division of 5.8% in constant currency, of which 2.7% like-for-like growth, including:

Gains in North America where like-for-like sales growth accelerated from 2.3% in Q1 to 3.1% in Q2
Resilient performance in Europe supported by the recent Eye Protect System™ and Varilux® X series™ launches
An expansion of sales in fast growing markets dampened by a decline in Brazil
A 14% increase in online sales

At June 30, 2017, Sunglasses & Readers division revenue was down 1.5% like-for-like after an improved second quarter. In North America, a positive sunwear season enabled FGX to return to satisfactory growth in the second quarter, making up for some of the shortfall in the first quarter. Costa® sales maintained robust momentum underpinned by geographic expansion as well as the diversification and development of its distribution networks.

The Equipment division delivered like-for-like revenue growth of 11.7%, fueled by robust new machine sales combined with slower growth in after-sales. Demand was particularly strong for the high-capacity equipment introduced late last year, especially the new VFT-Orbit 2^TM digital generator and Multi-FLEX^TM polisher.

On May 11, Essilor shareholders convened for a general meeting and holders of double voting rights convened for a special meeting, approved the combination of Essilor and Luxottica. To date, Essilor and Luxottica have jointly filed with the antitrust authorities in several jurisdictions. The two companies’ shared objective in cooperation with the relevant authorities is to close the antitrust process around the end of the year.

Click HERE to read the full press release.

July 31, 2017April 24, 2018

Essilor Canada Awards Scholarships to Students in QC and NB

Essilor Canada is proud to partner with opticianry programs across the country and to contribute to the training of future opticians at several levels. Thus, scholarships that encourage perseverance, excellence and entrepreneurial spirit, one of Essilor’s core values, are awarded to students who have demonstrated these qualities.

On May 2, 2017, Isabelle Bernier and Lauriane Gagné, students of the opticianry program at Cégep Garneau in Quebec City, each earned an Essilor Perseverance Scholarship during the evening organized by the Cégep Garneau Foundation. In order to be chosen, students had to be tenacious and persistent in their studies while meeting the following criteria: assiduous attendance at all courses, participation in class, constancy in the effort throughout the sessions, involvement in academic achievement, skill development and successful completion of courses.

Then, on June 23, Angela Savoie of Oulton College’s opticianry program in Moncton, New Brunswick, received the Essilor Scholarship to recognize her academic excellence in vision science and her ability to work as an effective team member while offering outstanding patient care.

Beyond the scholarships, Essilor Canada is involved with optical schools throughout the year with customized training, donation of high-tech equipment, lab visits and sponsorship of student activities.

From left to right :

Representative from Cégep Garneau; Isabelle Bernier – Scholarship recipient; Caroline Montreuil – Essilor Canada.

From left to right:

Representative from Cégep Garneau; Lauriane Gagné – Scolarship recipient; Caroline Montreuil – Essilor Canada.

From left to right :

Marion Ripley – Essilor Canada; Representative from Oulton College; Angela Savoie – Scolarship recipient.

Click HERE for full press release.

July 31, 2017April 24, 2018

Safilo and JCPenney Renew License for Liz Claiborne Eyewear

Safilo Group and JCPenney, one of the largest apparel and home furnishings retailers in the United States and Puerto Rico, announce the renewal of a five-year licensing agreement for the design, manufacturing and distribution of optical frames and sunglasses for the Liz Claiborne for women and Claiborne for men brands in the U.S. and Canada.

The renewal supports Safilo’s 2020 Strategic Plan, specifically in its objective of proportionally growing the optical segment relative to its sun segment in order to closely align the business with the market and growth opportunities. The Liz Claiborne and Claiborne brands are two of Safilo’s most sought after collections in the U.S., delivering a stable and healthy business.

The Liz Claiborne brand entered Safilo’s U.S. portfolio in 2003 with an optical license that was part of the Outlook Eyewear acquisition. This was followed by the sunwear collection. In 2004, the Claiborne ophthalmic collection was launched.

Click HERE for the full press release.