Essilor Broadens Lens Distribution Business by Acquiring Nassau Lens Company

Essilor International, one of the world's largest manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses, had acquired leading U.S. lens wholesaler Nassau that will allow it to distribute more of its products directly to opticians.
A spokeswoman declined on Monday to give indications of what Essilor had paid for the United States' biggest distributor of finished lenses directly to opticians and optometrists.

But the company said in a statement that Nassau had 2002 turnover of $62 million. North America as a whole represents 45 percent of Essilor's sales, which last year totalled 2.138 billion euros.

Essilor describes itself as an integrated manufacturer of optical lenses, treating and transforming them in laboratories and for prescription. The Nassau purchase highlights its increasing shift into distribution of its products as well.

The spokeswoman said the acquisition would help increase the number of its lenses sold in the United States, and give Essilor a new network for selling straight to opticians.