Positive results for Indo in 2005

Indo recorded turnover of € 144.7 million in 2005, an increase of 13.8% over the previous year. Sales on the international markets rose by 46% and made an essential contribution to these good results. Turnover in Spain also rose by a more modest 3%.

International sales now make up 32% of total sales, up from 25% in 2004, an achievement that clearly reflects the success of the Group's internationalization policies.

Substantial growth was witnessed in all Business Units:
- lens sales grew by 10.7%, a result of the development of this area on the international markets and the investment made in Germany in early 2005 to increase Indo's stake in Werner Schulz GmbH to 100%;
- glasses business rose by 8.2%, thanks to the favourable market response to the Carolina Herrera and 212 collections, and the wider range of brands distributed by Indo in Spain as a result of the agreement signed with the French group L'Amy, and in Portugal through the agreement with the US group Viva;
- the Equipment and Interior Design unit had an excellent year, with growth of 25.3%. A successful operation in Algeria was instrumental in this achievement (10.4%), as was the acquisition on 1 September 2004 of the American manufacturer, Optical Equipment Group LLC.