CHARENTON Le PONT, France—On Oct. 28, Essilor International (ESSI.PA) marked 40 years on the stock exchange, with a ceremony at Euronext, also posting several videos about its evolution as a company, its unique structure and its development as “a unique human industrial and commercial adventure,” a “shared mission which started nearly 170 years ago, uniting 60,000 men and women worldwide.”

The introduction of Essilor on Oct. 28, 1975 on Euronet at the Paris Stock Exchange, the company noted, was an important step in the Group’s development,” explained Laurent Vacherot, COO of Essilor International, during a ceremony.

He noted Essilor’s entry to the stock market, three years after the merger between Essel and Silor, which gave the group a foundation. He cited the company’s advances in ophthalmic optics (including the invention of the progressive lens, organic lens and organic photochromic lens) and its advance of innovation through a strategy of partnerships.

Since 1975, revenues have multiplied by more than 60, Group companies have increased from 20 to more than 650 and its stock price has risen on average 16 percent per year.

He also noted the Group’s “growing presence in emerging markets and its expansion into sunglasses and online sales. It’s group and partners are present today in 75 countries with industrial and commercial activities close to eyecare professionals to better meet the specific needs of local consumers.”

Essilor was ranked by Forbes for the fifth consecutive year among the 100 most innovative companies in the world and was also included by Fortune in its first ever list of 51 companies that are changing the world.

Essilor employees lead many actions that aim to improve the access of 7.2 billion people on the planet to correction, protection and prevention. To serve the 2.5 billion people who don’t have solutions for their visual needs, the Group has developed new products, services and innovative distribution models. In January 2015, Essilor also created Vision For Life, a fund aiming to accelerate initiatives that combat poor vision in the world.

Today nearly a quarter of Group employees are Essilor shareholders. As members of the Valoptec Association, employee shareholders are represented at the board of directors through three voted members. They also participate in the Group’s governance through an annual vote of confidence in the company’s strategy and human resources policies. Vacherot’s video message is posted below.

A second video, tracing Essilor’s evolution over 165 years, “Essilor: story of a human adventure committed to good vision,” is also now posted on VisionMonday.com’s Multimedia section here.