Shamir Optical Industry
Israeli optical-lens manufacturer serving the international prescription-eyewear market.
Last updated October 30, 2026
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Overview
Shamir Optical Industry is an Israeli optical-lens manufacturer headquartered at Kibbutz Shamir. The company develops and produces lenses for prescription eyeglasses, with particular expertise in progressive and other multifocal products. Its history is closely connected with the economic development of Kibbutz Shamir, where an optics factory was established to create non-agricultural employment for kibbutz members. The factory originated in an agreement between Kibbutz Shamir and KMS Industries, an American company owned by Kip Siegel. KMS provided technical know-how and initially agreed to purchase the factory’s output, while production in Israel was intended for export. The facility began manufacturing bifocal lenses in 1972 and later expanded into progressive lenses in 1984. This move broadened Shamir’s capabilities from conventional ophthalmic optics into the more technically demanding multifocal-lens segment. Shamir internationalized its operations during the 1990s and 2000s. It established Shamir USA in 1990 and later created Shamir Insight to support distribution of semi-finished lenses to laboratories in the United States. The company also expanded its European presence through ownership of Altra Trading in Germany, which became a wholly owned subsidiary in 2008 after Shamir acquired the remaining interest. In 2005, Shamir Optical became a publicly traded company with dual listings on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. The offering made it the first company originating from a kibbutz to list on NASDAQ. Public-company status gave Shamir access to capital and increased its visibility in the global optical industry, while its product portfolio remained focused on multifocal and other prescription lenses. The company’s corporate structure changed substantially in 2011, when Essilor acquired a controlling interest through purchases from public shareholders and from Shamir Optical Industry Ltd. The transaction resulted in Shamir’s delisting from NASDAQ and conversion into a private company within the Essilor group. Shamir subsequently continued operating as an optical-lens business under Essilor’s ownership. In 2021, Shamir completed the acquisition of Lenstec Optical Group on behalf of Essilor. In 2022, EssilorLuxottica completed the acquisition of full ownership of Shamir. This placed the Israeli lens manufacturer within the broader EssilorLuxottica group, one of the world’s largest eyewear and optical-lens businesses. Shamir’s business identity remains associated with the design, manufacture, distribution, and commercialization of prescription lenses, including progressive products and branded lens families such as Autograph and InTouch where documented in company-related materials.
History
Shamir Optical Industry developed from an optics factory established at Kibbutz Shamir in northern Israel. The project was intended to provide kibbutz members with employment outside agriculture. Kibbutz Shamir entered into an arrangement with KMS Industries, an American optics company owned by Kip Siegel. Under the agreement, KMS supplied technical knowledge and agreed to purchase the factory’s production during its initial period, while the Israeli facility was designed primarily for export manufacturing. The factory was inaugurated in 1972 and began with bifocal-lens production. This gave the kibbutz an industrial base in ophthalmic optics and connected the local operation to international supply chains from its earliest years. In 1984, Shamir expanded into progressive lenses. The change was strategically important because progressive lenses require more complex optical design and manufacturing than conventional single-vision or bifocal products. The company’s move into this category established the foundation for its later identity as a multifocal-lens specialist. Shamir began building a direct presence in overseas markets in the 1990s. In 1990, it established Shamir USA, giving the company a dedicated American subsidiary. In 2001, it created Shamir Insight as a distribution center for semi-finished lenses supplied to laboratories in the United States. These steps supported a business model in which Shamir combined lens development and manufacturing with regional distribution and laboratory relationships. The company also expanded in Europe. In 2008, Shamir made Altra Trading, a German distribution company, wholly owned after acquiring the remaining 49 percent of the business. The transaction followed Shamir’s earlier ownership of 51 percent and strengthened its ability to distribute optical products in the European market. Shamir reached a significant corporate milestone in 2005 when Shamir Optics became publicly traded on both the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. The company was valued at $225.4 million at the offering, according to the cited historical account. The listing made Shamir the first kibbutz company to be listed on NASDAQ and gave it an unusual position among publicly traded companies focused on multifocal lenses. The public-company phase ended in 2011. Essilor acquired a total 50 percent interest through purchases from public shareholders and from Shamir Optical Industry Ltd. After the transaction, Shamir was delisted from NASDAQ and operated as a private company under Essilor’s ownership. The same year, Dymotech Ltd brought legal proceedings against Shamir and its partly owned subsidiary Inray Ltd. The case alleged unauthorized use of intellectual property associated with the Technion and sought both monetary damages and restrictions on future use. The available reference does not establish the final outcome of the litigation. Shamir continued to expand under Essilor. In 2021, it completed the acquisition of Lenstec Optical Group on behalf of Essilor. In 2022, EssilorLuxottica completed the acquisition of 100 percent of Shamir. The transaction placed Shamir within the EssilorLuxottica group and marked the completion of the company’s transition from a kibbutz-founded, publicly listed optical manufacturer to a wholly owned business within a global eyewear and lens corporation. Its principal activities remain the development and manufacture of prescription optical lenses, including progressive and other multifocal designs.
- 2022
Full acquisition by EssilorLuxottica
[1]EssilorLuxottica completed the acquisition of 100 percent of Shamir.
- 2021
Lenstec Optical Group acquisition
[1]Shamir completed the acquisition of Lenstec Optical Group on behalf of Essilor.
- 2011
Essilor merger and NASDAQ delisting
[1]Essilor acquired a controlling interest through purchases totaling 50 percent, after which Shamir became private and was delisted from NASDAQ.
- 2008
Altra Trading becomes wholly owned
[1]Shamir acquired the remaining interest in German distribution company Altra Trading.
- 2005
Dual stock-market listing
[1]Shamir Optics listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, becoming the first kibbutz company to list on NASDAQ.
- 2001
Shamir Insight established
[1]Shamir created a United States distribution center for supplying semi-finished lenses to optical laboratories.
- 1990
Shamir USA established
[1]The company established a United States subsidiary to support its presence in the American market.
- 1984
Expansion into progressive lenses
[1]Shamir added progressive-lens manufacturing to its existing bifocal and other optical-lens production.
- 1972
Optics factory established at Kibbutz Shamir
[1]A bifocal-lens factory was inaugurated at Kibbutz Shamir under an agreement with KMS Industries, with production intended for export.
Products and positioning
An international optical-lens manufacturer positioned around prescription-lens technology, progressive and multifocal designs, and supply to optical laboratories and eyewear channels.
Prescription optical lenses · 1972
Bifocal lenses
Bifocal lenses were the company’s initial manufacturing focus when the Kibbutz Shamir optics factory began operations in 1972. They provide two distinct optical zones for different viewing distances and formed the technical and commercial foundation for Shamir’s later expansion into progressive and other multifocal lens designs.
Multifocal prescription lenses · 1984
Progressive lenses
Progressive lenses became part of Shamir’s manufacturing portfolio in 1984. Unlike traditional bifocals, progressive lenses provide a gradual change in optical power across the lens, allowing correction for multiple viewing distances without a visible dividing line. This category became central to Shamir’s identity as a multifocal-lens manufacturer.
Progressive lens series
Autograph
Autograph is a Shamir progressive-lens series identified in the available dossier material as one of the company’s flagship offerings. The available sources do not provide sufficient product-level detail to describe individual generations, optical parameters, or current regional availability.
Optical lens series
InTouch
InTouch is a Shamir lens series identified in the available dossier material. Specific technical features, launch timing, and market availability are not established by the supplied reference material.
Optical-laboratory supply · 2001
Semi-finished lenses
Shamir supplies semi-finished lenses to optical laboratories, including through its United States distribution structure. These lens blanks or partially processed products allow laboratories and regional partners to complete prescription-specific finishing and fitting for individual customers.
Controversies
2011
Dymotech Ltd litigation over Technion intellectual property
Dymotech Ltd brought legal proceedings against Shamir and its partly owned subsidiary Inray Ltd, alleging unauthorized use of intellectual property associated with the Technion and seeking both monetary damages and restrictions on future use. The available reference does not establish the final outcome of the litigation.
Brand decisions
2022
Full ownership transfer to EssilorLuxotticaM&ABackground
Shamir was already operating within the Essilor ownership structure following the 2011 transaction.
Action taken
EssilorLuxottica completed the acquisition of 100 percent of Shamir.
Aftermath
Shamir became a wholly owned business of EssilorLuxottica and remained part of the group’s international optical-lens operations.
2021
Acquisition of Lenstec Optical GroupM&ABackground
Shamir continued expansion under Essilor ownership.
Action taken
Shamir completed the acquisition of Lenstec Optical Group on behalf of Essilor.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded the group’s optical-lens business, although the supplied material does not provide further operational details.
2011
Essilor acquisition and privatizationM&ABackground
Essilor sought a controlling position in Shamir after the company had operated as a publicly listed optical-lens manufacturer.
Action taken
Essilor purchased 37 percent of Shamir from public shareholders and another 13 percent from Shamir Optical Industry Ltd., for a combined 50 percent interest.
Aftermath
Shamir was delisted from NASDAQ and became a private company within Essilor.
Consideration for the 50 percent acquisition. $130 million (2011 transaction)
2005
Public-market expansion through dual listingStrategyBackground
Shamir had expanded beyond its original kibbutz factory and developed international operations in the optical-lens market.
Action taken
The company completed listings on both the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.
Aftermath
The listing made Shamir the first kibbutz company to be listed on NASDAQ and supported its profile as an international optical manufacturer.
Company valuation at listing. $225.4 million (2005 listing)
Sources1 sources
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