CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France--Essilor International (ESSI.PA) posted €2,908.1 million in consolidated revenue for the year ended Dec. 31, 2007, up 8.1 percent from year ago. On a like-for-like basis, revenue grew 8.0 percent, on a par with the previous year. Higher unit sales accounted for 5 percent of the increase, with an improved price-mix adding the other 3 percent.

Consolidation of companies acquired in 2006 and 2007 contributed 4 percent of reported growth. According to Essilor, the currency effect shifted to a sharply negative 3.8 percent, primarily due to the decline in the U.S. dollar and, to a lesser extent, the Canadian dollar, the Japanese yen and the British pound against the euro.

Contribution from operations was €527.4 million, or 18.1 percent of revenue, versus €482.6 million, or 17.9 percent of revenue, in 2006, up 9.3 percent. Operating profit for 2007 rose 9.6 percent to €504.6 million.

Essilor reported strong growth in every region of the world. Sales in Europe grew 9.1 percent, or 6.2 percent like-for-like, to ?1,317.5 million. In North America, sales reached €1,207.8 million, up 5.0 percent, or 8.1 percent like-for-like. Revenues in Asia-Pacific grew to €266.9 million, up 14.5 percent, or 13.4 percent like-for-like. In Latin America, sales rose to €109.5 million, an 18.6 percent increase, or 15.6 percent like-for-like.

Essilor attributed its growth to several key factors, most notably an improvement in the product mix led by firm growth in progressive lenses such as Varilux Physio, Definity, Anateo/Accolade), medium and high-index lenses, Transitions variable-tint lenses and anti-reflective coatings. Other factors included ongoing external growth, with the acquisition during the year of 16 new companies. Further profitability gains, with contribution from operations rising to 18.1 percent of revenue and profit attributable to equity holders reaching 12.6 percent.