Essilor.com

Unity brings strength

 

Essilor was formed in 1972 following the merger of the two companies that dominated the French optical eyewear market at the time: Essel and Silor.
The new company inherited a priceless tradition from its two precursors: that of being consistently ahead of the curve.

Essel and Silor

Complementary businesses…

 

…in technological terms

Silor invented the Orma® 1000 plastic lens (1959), while Essel created the Varilux® progressive lens 1959.

 

…in terms of labor relations 

Essel, which originated as a workers’ co-operative founded in 1849, brought its accumulated practical experience of employee involvement.

 

…in commercial terms

Essel and Silor had both pioneered mass advertising of their flagship products as early as 1950.

 

…in geographical terms 

Essel had introduced the Varilux® lens to Japan, while Silor was beginning to market Orma® in the United States.