Essilor Makes Fortune’s ‘Change The World’ List, Companies That Are ‘Doing Well By Doing Good’
By Essilor News
08/31/2015
Essilor has been named among 51 companies that are changing the world in Fortune’s inaugural ‘Change the World’ list.
In its first ever ‘Change the World’ list, Fortune spotlights Essilor for the progress the company is making in addressing the issue of visual health as part of its core business strategy. Stating that companies ‘making genuine efforts to change the world for the better should be encouraged,’ Fortune gives the example of Essilor’s 2.5 New Vision Generation inclusive business division, which is bringing locally affordable vision care to underserved populations in 22 countries across Asia, Latin America and Africa.
“Our purpose to improve lives by improving sight has been at the heart of Essilor’s business model for over 165 years” said Jayanth Bhuvaraghan, Essilor’s Chief Corporate Mission Officer. “To be recognized as a company that is changing the world is a true testament to the passion and expertise of our teams worldwide who continually seek to push the boundaries of accessibility to the best vision possible.”
Impaired vision is the most common disability in the world, yet its impact on society - from literacy and education, to employability and personal well-being - is largely unrecognized. By leveraging its expertise and geographic reach, Essilor is today tackling the growing worldwide challenge of uncorrected vision, which affects more than 2.5 billion people, through inclusive business, strategic giving and cross-sector partnership.
Experts estimate vision problems are prevalent in one in four schoolchildren in the United States and are one of the most handicapping conditions in childhood. However, research has shown that only 10% of children in the 9 to 15 years old age group who needed eyeglasses actually had them. Dallas-based Essilor of America established the Essilor Vision Foundation, a public non-profit charity, in 2008 to provide students in need across the United States with screenings and glasses at no cost to the families. As part of its mission, Essilor Vision Foundation also works to educate parents and communities about the importance of children’s vision care and the role it plays in literacy, society and the economy. Essilor Vision Foundation has to date screened over 500,000 children in the U.S. and will equip around 100,000 children with eyeglasses in 2015.
About Essilor
The worldʼs leading ophthalmic optics company, Essilor designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of lenses to improve and protect eyesight. Its corporate mission is to enable everyone around the world to access lenses that meet his or her unique vision requirements. To support this mission, the Company allocates more than €150 million to research and innovation every year, in a commitment to continuously bring new, more effective products to market. Essilorʼs flagship brands are Varilux®, Crizal®, Transitions, Definity®, Xperio®, OptifogTM, Foster Grant®, Bolon® and Costa®. It also develops and markets equipment, instruments and services for eyecare professionals. Essilor reported consolidated revenue of over €5 billion in 2013 and employs more than 55,000 people. It operates in some 100 countries with 28 plants, more than 450 prescription laboratories and edging facilities, as well as several research and innovation centers around the world. For more information, please visit www.essilor.com. The Essilor share trades on the NYSE Euronext Paris market and is included in the Euro Stoxx 50 and CAC 40 indices. Codes and symbols: ISIN: FR0000121667; Reuters: ESSI.PA; Bloomberg: EI:FP.
Media Contact Information
Maïlis Thiercelin – Corporate Media Relations
Email: mailis.thiercelin@essilor.com
Tel.: + 33 (0)1 49 77 45 02
Laura Viscovich – Corporate Mission
Email: laura.viscovich@essilor.com
Tel.: + 65 6589 9356
Cherie Gifford – Corporate Communications
Email: cherie.gifford@essilorusa.com
Tel: 972-764-1242
Mob: 214-621-4477