Essilor Buys 5 Optics Labs

Prescription lens maker Essilor announced today it has strengthened its laboratory network by buying two independent labs in Europe and three others in the US. Terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed.

In Europe, France-based Essilor has acquired majority stakes in Sinclair Optical Services of Gloucester, England, and United Optical, based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Sinclair Optical manufactures stock and prescription lenses and provides surface treatments; its full-year sales amount to approximately $11.7 million. United Optical operates a subsidiary in Athlone, Ireland, that specializes in the edging and mounting of prescription safety lenses. United Optical generates revenue of about $8.5 million a year.

In the US, Dallas-based Essilor of America acquired Premier Optics and Gold Optical Enterprises, prescription laboratories located, respectively, in Belmont and Fayetteville, N.C. Essilor also acquired GK Optical, a group with prescription laboratories in Greenwood and Fort Wayne, Ind. The three companies' combined yearly revenue totals $8.5 million.

For more information, visit: www.essilor.com