Another example of a global market leader is Essilor (XPAR:EI), the world’s leading provider of coated prescription eyeglass lenses. Based in France, the company’s reach is truly global as it operates in more than 100 countries and dominates the market on every continent. It is also an innovator with a strong global research and development effort and regularly adds to its base of more than 5,000 patents. Essilor estimates as much as two-thirds of the world’s population could be helped by corrective lenses but only about a quarter so far have corrected vision, offering the company significant growth opportunities in the years ahead.
From Chris Davis (Trades, Portfolio)’ Davis International Fund Semi-Annual Review 2014.
