Shamir Optical Industry Ltd. is among the world's leading manufacturers of high-quality progressive and single vision lenses and molds. Over the course of nearly four decades, Shamir has established itself as a company known worldwide for innovation, cutting-edge technology, and stringent quality assurance practices. Opticians and optical laboratories across the globe appreciate Shamir's quick response to changing market demands and consumer needs, as well as its ability to fill orders for custom-designs and private label product lines.Established in 1972 as a manufacturer of bifocal lenses, and quickly moving into development of progressive lenses, Shamir is ranked among the world's top ten progressive lens manufacturers. Today Shamir operates two manufacturing facilities for molds and semi-finished lenses in Israel and operates nine laboratories throughout the world with a total workforce of some 1,800. In July 2011 a merger took place making Essilor a 50% shareholding in Shamir Optical Industry. Formerly traded on NASDAQ, Shamir is now a jointly owned private company. Realizing its own capabilities for innovation, Shamir began pursuing a path of cutting edge technology development leading to innovative products. Its product line-up is equally impressive, including lens and mold designs, molds, semi-finished progressive lenses, single vision lenses, and finished back surface progressive lenses.