Essilor - Q1 2006 Sales

A Good Start to the Year




CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France, April 20  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Essilor (OTC:ESLOF) , the world leader in ophthalmic optics, today announced its consolidated revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2006:

  In euros millions March 31, 2006 March 31, 2005 % Change  Like-for-like
                                                               growth
  Revenue               692.8          570.0        21.5%       11.5%
             Europe     300.0          269.1        11.5%        9.8%
      North America     309.1          238.7        29.5%       12.4%
       Asia Pacific      60.3           47.0        28.4%       14.3%
      Latin America      23.4           15.2        54.1%       17.3%




Revenue for the first three months of 2006 was up 11.5% like-for-like and 21.5% as reported, in comparison with a relatively weak prior-year period. Acquisitions made in 2005 and early 2006 added 4% to reported growth, while the currency effect was a positive 6%, primarily reflecting the increase in the US dollar, Canadian dollar and Brazilian real against the euro compared with first-quarter 2005.

In a generally expanding market, the Group reported significant growth in unit sales and a favorable shift in the product mix. In particular, the new Varilux Physio(R) progressive lens, which was launched in high-index materials during the first quarter, has proven highly popular with consumers and eyecare professionals alike.

As a result, business improved in Europe, while continuing to enjoy robust growth in North America, Asia and Latin America. 

  Recent Acquisitions
  Essilor continued to acquire new companies in the first quarter:


- In New Zealand, Wellington-based Prolab was acquired and the stake in Christchurch-based Olab was raised to 50%. These two prescription laboratories have combined revenue of US$4 million.

- In India, the Group acquired the assets of Delta CNC, a laboratory based in Ahmedabad.

- In the United States, Uniscoat Inc., a coating facility in California, and PerfeRx Optical Co., Inc., a Varilux(R) distributor in Massachusetts, were both acquired. The two companies reported total revenue of US$7 million.

In all, Essilor has acquired ten companies since January 1, representing full-year revenue of EUR26 million. 

  A conference call will be held today at 10:00 a.m. Paris time.
  The number to dial is: [phone]
  The conference will be available for later listening at:
  http://hosting.3sens.com/Essilor/20060420-2C89A437/en
  Next financial announcement
  First-half 2006 revenue: July 20, 2006


Essilor International is the world leader in ophthalmic optical products, offering a wide range of lenses under the flagship Varilux(R), Crizal(R), Airwear(R) and Essilor(R) brands to correct myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism. Essilor operates worldwide through 16 production sites, 215 lens finishing laboratories and local distribution networks. The Essilor share trades on the Euronext Paris market and is included in the CAC 40 index (ISIN: FR 0000121667; Reuters: ESSI.PA; Bloomberg: EF FP).

  Investor Relations and Financial Communication
  Veronique Gillet
  Phone: [phone]


DATASOURCE: Essilor



CONTACT:  Investor Relations and Financial Communication, Veronique

Gillet, Phone: [phone]

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