EssilorLuxottica — M&A Activity 2013

Dec 16, 2013

Essilor Acquires Suntech Optics, Owner of the Canadian Sunglasses Brand Ryders

Charenton-le-Pont (December 16, 2013) – Essilor International has announced the acquisition of Suntech Optics Inc., one of Canada's leading distributors of sunglasses and reading glasses, with annual revenue of around US\$15 million.

Based in Vancouver, British Colombia, Suntech markets a range of reading glasses and sunglasses, in particular under the proprietary Infokus® and Solair™ brands, to more than 2,800 retail outlets in the drug, grocery and mass channels of distribution in Canada.

Through its Bugaboos subsidiary, Suntech Optics owns and also distributes Ryders Eyewear, the Canadian performance sunglasses brand that enjoys a reputation for excellence among mountain bike enthusiasts. Particularly well established in Canada, Ryders Eyewear markets an extensive range of tinted, polarized and photochromic sunglasses in more than 1,800 retail locations in North America, South America and Europe.

Following the group's announcements about Costa® – the fastest growing performance sunglass brand in the United States –, and Bolon® – one of the leading sunglasses brand in China –, Ryders represents a new offering of standard-setting sunglass frames for Essilor.

Commenting on the transaction, Eric Thoreux, Corporate Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing, in charge of the Readers and Sun Lens strategy, said: "By expanding the Group's brand portfolio, this acquisition has strengthened FGX's leadership in the reading glasses and sunglasses market, particularly in Canada. More generally, it attests to our commitment to bringing innovative, affordable visual health and comfort solutions to the broader market."

In the future, Suntech will be able to leverage the Group's technological expertise to develop its offering in the prescription and non-prescription reading glasses and sunglasses segments, both of which remain largely untapped.

Brent Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Suntech and Bugaboos, commented: "With the deep pool of talent and resources of FGX and Essilor, we are now in a strong position to take these brands global more quickly. What sealed the deal for me is the FGX/Essilor commitment to making a difference in the world."

About Essilor

The world's 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. Essilor's flagship brands are Varilux® , Crizal ® , Definity® , Xperio® , Optifog™ and Foster Grant® . It also develops and markets equipment, instruments and services for eyecare professionals.

Essilor reported consolidated revenue of nearly €5 billion in 2012 and employs around 50,700 people. It operates in more than 100 countries with 22 plants, more than 400 prescription laboratories and edging facilities, as well as several research and development 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.

About FGX International

FGX International Inc. is a leading designer and marketer of non-prescription reading glasses and sunglasses with a portfolio of established, highly recognized eyewear brands including Foster Grant® , Sight Station® , Magnivision® , Gargoyles® , Anarchy® , Corinne McCormack® , SolarShield® and PolarEyes® .

Contacts

Investor Relations and Financial Communication Véronique Gillet – Sébastien Leroy – Ariel Bauer Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 77 42 16

Corporate Communication Lucia Dumas Press Relations Maïlis Thiercelin Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 77 45 02