Nikon Corporation, Japan and Essilor International, France, establish a joint research center in Japan
February 12, 2009
Nikon Corporation (Michio Kariya, President) in Japan and Essilor International S.A. (Xavier Fontanet, Chairman and CEO) in France said that they have reached an agreement to form a global strategic alliance in research by forming a 50/50 joint venture in Japan to be called Nikon and Essilor International Joint Research Center Co. Ltd., start its operation as from mid-March, 2009.
The main purpose of the joint venture is to conduct research and development activities mainly regarding materials, optics and ophthalmic areas. This will be achieved through the collaboration of Nikon's highly respected technology established through IC and LCD steppers and scanners and camera-related products, coupled with technologies cultivated by Essilor, a world leader in ophthalmic optical products.
With this new research and development joint venture company, Nikon Corporation and Essilor International S.A. will expand their partnership established through *Nikon-Essilor Co., Ltd. to Mid-Long term research and development activities, and contribute to global society through its activities to seek cutting-edge new technology in materials, optics and ophthalmic areas.
- *Nikon-Essilor Co., Ltd. is a 50/50 joint venture of Nikon and Essilor International started its business in January 2000, responsible for research, development, production and sales mainly for ophthalmic optics.
Outline of the joint company
| Name of the company | Nikon and Essilor International Joint Research Center Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Location of head office | Kanagawa |
| Main business | Research and Development activities in material, optics and ophthalmic area sponsored by Nikon Corporation and Essilor International S.A. |
| Representatives | President : Jean-Christophe Simon Executive Vice President : Akira Tanaka |
| Number of employees | Approx. 10 at initial stage |
| Capital | 200 million yen (50/50 joint venture of Nikon and Essilor International) |
Outline of Essilor International S.A..
Essilor International is the world leader in ophthalmic optical products, offering a wide range of lenses under the flagship Varilux®, Crizal®, Essilor® and Definity® brands to correct myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism. Essilor operates worldwide through 15 production sites, 292 lens finishing laboratories and local distribution networks.
The Essilor share trades on the Euronext Paris market and is included in the CAC 40 index.
- *Facility where process (e.g. polishing, staining, coating) lenses based on request by opticians.
The information is current as of the date of publication. It is subject to change without notice.