Hauser Private Equity, a Cincinnati-based private equity firm specializing in lower and mid-tier markets, has announced a major transaction in their healthcare portfolio. Cincinnati-based vision care provider CEI Vision Partners has entered an acquisition agreement with the nation’s largest eye care network, EyeCare Providers, which in turn is owned by Swiss private equity firm Partners Group Holding AG.
Mark Hauser, the managing partner of Hauser Private Equity, believes that mid-tier markets in the healthcare sector should not be overlooked and the Cincinnati region is rife with strong businesses serving multiple markets.
“We have made numerous investments in ophthalmology across our fund portfolio. Revelstoke and the management team of CEI have been top performers and the acquisition by EyeCare speaks to the strength of the investment and the market power of Cincinnati businesses,” Mark Hauser has stated on the successful acquisition agreement and co-investments with Revelstoke Capital Partners.
Hauser Private Equity has previously made investments in the healthcare sector, particularly in ophthalmology. The firm is seeking to recreate the success they have had with their co-investment programs as finding the right targets and acquirers has been a cornerstone of their success.
Hauser Private Equity co-managing partner Paul Swanson spoke on their co-investments with Revelstoke Capital Partners and saw a bright future for CEI Vision Partners acquisition by EyeCare Partners. “We are thrilled with this outcome for the employee partners of CEI Vision and for the investors In Hauser Private Equity Core Fund III. We are also excited about the continued progress of our other two co-investments with Revelstoke Capital Partners, OrthoAlliance (formerly Beacon Orthopedics) and DataLink.”
EyeCare Partners is based in St. Louis with practices in 18 states. As the practice seeks expansion in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, the acquisition of CEI Vision Partners will now account for almost 1,000 doctors (280 ophthalmologists and more than 700 optometrists), 5,000 clinical staff, 1,200 staff in support functions.
This represents major growth from CEI Vision Partners’ current capacity of 150 doctors serving 52 facilities across four states.
“CEI Vision Partners has grown substantially over the last three years by partnering with leading ophthalmology practices in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic region, and we are excited to take this growth to the next level in partnership with EyeCare Partners,” said Clyde Bell, CEO of CEI Vision Partners regarding the acquisition.
Upon completion of the acquisition, EyeCare Partners now expects to serve more than 3 million patients per year.
