Following the agreement signed in July with South Korean PUcore for the acquisition of strategic assets in high-index monomers, EssilorLuxottica continues its growth and consolidation path vertical in the ophthalmic lenses sector. The Italian-French group has announced theacquisition di Automation & Robotics (A&R), a Belgian company leader in advanced optical metrology, further strengthening its technological and industrial platform.
Automation & Robotics joins EssilorLuxottica
Automation & Robotics (A&R), a company founded in 1983 and based in Belgium, specializes in the design and production of automated systems for the quality control of prescription lensesThe technologies developed by A&R are used both in industrial settings and in ophthalmic laboratories, where they represent a benchmark for advanced automation and metrological precision.
According to the group, the acquisition is part of the business model vertically integrated of EssilorLuxottica, helping to further raise quality standards along the entire value chain.
A benchmark in advanced optical metrology
A&R has built a solid reputation over time thanks to proprietary technologies that accompany the digitalization of production processes of the major players in the ophthalmic industry. The company develops a complete range of solutions, from high-precision machinery ai advanced software, covering the entire product life cycle: research and development, design, production, distribution and services.
This is an acquisition bolt-on, that is, a targeted operation on a highly specialized company, useful for strengthening EssilorLuxottica's technological core.
Milleri and du Saillant: "A step forward in quality and wearables"
"Quality, performance, and innovation are at the heart of our industrial vision. The integration of A&R represents a further step forward in our pursuit of excellence in the ophthalmic sector," they stated. Francesco Milleri, president and CEO, and Paul du Saillant, Deputy CEO of EssilorLuxottica – “With their experience, we will be able to further improve the quality of the lenses and respond to new market needs, including w".
The goal is to make the group's technological platform increasingly high-performance, in step with the evolution of the optical industry, which is increasingly tied to innovation and automation.
A coherent strategy between growth, technology and resistance to tariffs
The acquisition of Automation & Robotics is part of a broader strategy of technological and industrial expansion carried out by EssilorLuxottica. Only in July, the group had announced the purchase of South Korea's PUcore, active in the development of high-index monomers for ophthalmic lenses. In the same period, the entry into the capital by Meta, which took a 3% stake, demonstrating the growing interest in optical technologies related to wearable devices and augmented reality.
On the financial front, the group closed the first half of 2025 with adjusted revenues up 7,3% at constant exchange rates, 14 billion euros, despite US tariffs and a weak dollar.adjusted operating profit stands at 2,53 billion (18,3% of revenues), while theadjusted net profit salt to 1,8 billion (+6,1%), equal to 12,8% of turnover. The free cash flow raggiunge 951 million, with liquid assets for 2,79 billion and a net debt of 11,26 billion.
The growth rate was confirmed in the second quarter (+7,3% at constant exchange rates) and the guidance to 2026, which forecasts revenues between 27 and 28 billion and operating margin between the 19% and 20%.
