CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France—Essilor International (Reuters: ESSI.PA) reported revenue increases for the first-half and second quarter ending June 30, 2016.

First-half revenue rose 5.1 percent from year ago as reported, 8.1 percent at constant exchange rates and 4.1 percent like-for-like, to €3.6 billion. Essilor attributed the growth in part to the strong performance of its lenses and optical instruments division, which generated €3.1 billion in revenue, a 5 percent increase like-for-like over year ago. Changes in the scope of consolidation added 4.0 percent to the growth performance, illustrating the major impact of Essilor 2015 acquisitions as well as the strong momentum in the early part of 2016, with 10 new transactions signed.

Growth was held back by a contraction in Essilor’s sunglasses and readers division, partly due to unfavorable weather conditions, and a sluggish performance in North America, primarily due to the decrease in Transitions Optical sales to other lens manufacturers, the company said.

"In a structurally expanding optical industry, Essilor is confirming its objective of increasing organic growth to more than 6 percent by 2018,” commented Hubert Sagnières, chairman and chief executive officer of Essilor. “In first-half 2016, our strategy once again successfully drove gains in the lenses and optical instruments division and strong acquisitions-led growth. The performance of the sunglasses and readers division was hit by very unfavorable weather conditions in the second quarter. In the second half, we will continue to deploy a wide array of growth initiatives in prescription lenses, sunwear, online retailing and the fast-growing countries. We are confident in our ability to fully capitalize on the many growth opportunities that are arising."

First-half sales rose to €1.4 billion in North America, up 3.1 percent like-for-like versus year, as a solid performance in the U.S. made up for softer demand in Canada, Essilor said. U.S. sales were led by demand from independent eyecare professionals for Crizal and Xperio lenses, as well as other value-added products. In addition, a variety of new product, marketing and supply chain solutions were designed and are now being developed for the independent optometrists who are members of the Vision Source and PERC/IVA service platforms. According to Essilor, these programs are expected to start delivering benefits in the second half and in 2017.

In second quarter, Essilor reported €1.8 billion in revenue, up 2.9 percent over year ago, or 3.2 percent like-for-like. The lenses and optical instruments division posted €1.6 billion in revenue, up 4.1 percent over year ago, or 4.4 percent like-for-like.