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Equistone to Sell Eschenbach Optik to Inspecs Group

Funds advised by Equistone Partners Europe have agreed to sell their majority stake in Nuremberg-based Eschenbach Holding. Eschenbach is a German leader in eyewear and low vision products, offering correction frames, and ready to wear sunglasses, with further strong positions in Europe and the US. Eschenbach will be an even stronger player together with the British Inspecs Group based in Bath and listed in London. The financial terms of the transaction are undisclosed and the transaction remains subject to approval from the relevant competition authorities and fulfilment of conditions precedent.

Barclays Private Equity, the predecessor organisation of Equistone, acquired Eschenbach from the founding family and a financial investor in July 2007, together with the company’s management team. Since then, Eschenbach’s turnover has increased from an initial Euro 100 million to 143 million in 2019. The strategic sale of its technical optics division in 2014 and the important acquisitions of British eyewear business International Eyewear Limited (2008) and US-based eyewear brand Tura (2009) also fall within this ownership period.

Inspecs was founded by Robin Totterman (CEO) in 1988 and is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of eyewear frames and lenses. The Group produces a broad range of frames, covering optical, sunglasses and safety, which are either “Branded” (either under licence or under the Group’s own proprietary brands), or “OEM” (including private label on behalf of retail customers and un-branded). As one of only a few companies that can offer this one-stop-shop solution to global retail chains, Inspecs is well positioned to continue to take market share in the globally expanding eyewear market.

“The successes we achieved during our partnership as well as a very positive 2019 financial year and a new five-year growth strategy form an ideal basis for Eschenbach’s continued, successful development. Joining forces with Inspecs will provide Eschenbach with an additional boost of momentum to reliably strengthen its global market position and to write a new chapter of its success story”, says Dr. Marc Arens, Managing Director and Partner at Equistone’s Munich office.

“During our successful partnership, Equistone has always proved to be a reliable and growth-oriented investor and partner for more than a decade”, says Dr Jörg Zobel, CEO of Eschenbach Optik. “Together with Equistone we found in Inspecs the right strategic partner for our new five-year growth vision.”

“We have followed Eschenbach’s progress for some time and are pleased to be welcoming Germany’s No.1 eyewear company and its great people into the Inspecs Group. Joining these two industry leading businesses together will create the 6th largest eyewear company in the world and enable the enlarged Group to further penetrate key global markets while also diversifying our combined customer and product portfolios”, commented Robin Totterman, CEO of Inspecs.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Liberty by Julbo

The Liberty teenager’s prescription eyeglasses are part of the JULBO Jneration collection. The high-density acetate frame is both light and robust and the temples can be easily adjusted.

Liberty models feature OBE spring-hinges, which increase the temple opening to put on and remove the glasses more easily. These stylish specs come in a great variety of colours.

Distributed by Lanctôt: www.rlanctot.com

Fall AccessorEYEZing for Women

August-September issue of Optik Magazine features IMAGINEM, which highlights advice from Eye Styling Expert Wendy Buchanan, R.O. just in time for the fall season.

New specs can set the tone for the new wardrobe and is an essential accessory to create a different vibe and give your client a refreshing image boost as they move through fall and winter. Knowing your clients Spec Style helps you easily recommend a new pair and gives you another reason to reach out and connect, offering eyewear styles specifically for their personal style.

Expressing the kind of mood inspired by eyewear designs streamlines the selection process, helping you stand out as the expert.

The Subtle Sophisticate™ woman will walk into your dispensary in control and businesslike. This Spec Style will opt for upscale classic shapes and will refuse to even try on an asymmetrical design.

The Daring Dramatic™ woman will have presence when they walk into your dispensary. These clients look like a success story and will tell you what they want. They can become irritated if time is wasted looking at eyewear that is not big and bold.

The Natural™ Spec Style woman is down to earth and approachable walking into your dispensary. This Spec Style does not give priority to the latest fashion trends but will buy high end if they believe it will stand the test of time.

The Elegant Charmer™ woman epitomizes feminine romanticism. This Spec Style loves to shop and when selecting eyewear for her, reach for styles you would describe as pretty and luxurious.

The Inspired Artist™ woman will attract attention as she manages to pull together a look that is unconventional and fun. You must absolutely show her the artsy and colourful eyewear in your dispensary.

Wendy’s full article is available in the August-September Issue of Optik Magazine.

You can learn more about Wendy’s image and eyestyling program for optical fashionistas at www.specstyling.com

FYidoctors Continues Expansion with Announcement of Merger with Beautiful Canadian Laser and Skincare

ReNue, a group of doctor-led aesthetic medicine clinics headquartered in Calgary, Alberta announced the acquisition of Beautiful Canadian Laser and Skincare (“BC Laser and Skincare”), British Columbia’s largest laser and skincare clinic located in Surrey, BC. The ReNue medical aesthetetic clinics were acquired by FYidoctors in December 2019.

Founded in 2000 by Dr. Sachit Shah, a practitioner with over 30 years of experience, BC Laser and Skincare provides laser and cosmetic procedures. The doctor-led clinic houses over 20 different medical and aesthetic devices, helping deliver a wide range of treatment options for its patients.

“We look forward to working with Dr. Shah and his team at BC Laser and Skincare,” said Dr. Jason McWhirter, VP and Chief Medical Officer of FYidoctors’ Medical Aesthetics Division. “Regarded as a reputable, experienced clinic with a patient-focused approach to aesthetic medicine, the partnership represents a shared vision for establishing a trusted, innovative aesthetic medicine brand in the Canadian marketplace and we couldn’t be more excited to build on this together.”

The acquisition marks ReNue’s continued expansion in the aesthetic medicine field, as it seeks to become a leading provider of aesthetic medicine services across Canada.

The 5,000-square-foot clinic currently serves over 35,000 patients and specializes in a variety of technologies and solutions including carbon dioxide resurfacing, body contouring and skincare treatments for all skin types.

“Our clinic has put in a lot of work to be a leader in the aesthetic medicine industry in British Columbia, and we look forward to introducing new technologies and procedures to the practice,” said Dr. Shah. “Through this alliance, BC Laser and Skincare will now have the added benefits of working with the team of experts at ReNue, and we’re thrilled to provide this to the main beneficiaries of the partnership, our patients.”

The clinic has served the community of Surrey and surrounding areas for decades and is also highly engaged in community initiatives including pro bono tattoo removal to individuals currently receiving rehabilitation services from the RCMP.

According to the company, te global non-invasive medical aesthetics market will grow to over $14 billion USD by 2021 – a figure that could increase as experts in the field have noted significant growth in revenue during the pandemic.

Related Articles:
FYI Aquires ReNue
FYI Expands in Medical Aesthetics with Acquisition

Click HERE for the full press release.

FYidoctors Announces Latest Acquisition in Simcoe County

FYidoctors announces the acquisition of Ontario-based vision clinic, Beach Eye Care. Centrally located in Wasaga Beach, the announcement marks FYidoctors’ second clinic in Simcoe County.
 

Beach Eye Care has provided quality eye care to patients living in Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, and South Georgian Bay since 2011, and is led by optometrists Dr. Ben Pezik and Dr. Angela Fabiano. Both engaged members of the optometry industry, they bring to the clinic years of experience in the vision care field. Dr. Pezik holds a Doctor of Optometry from the University of Waterloo; and Dr. Fabiano holds an Honours BSc from the University of Toronto, in addition to her Doctor of Optometry from the Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry.

“For nearly a decade, Beach Eye Care has proudly served its patients and provided them with quality vision care,” said Dr. Ben Pezik. “We are excited about the new partnership and how this will evolve our practice – not only in continuing to provide them with the exceptional care they’ve come to expect, but with the added resources and benefits provided through FYidoctors.”

Currently, the family-friendly practice provides sophisticated diagnostic technology, extensive experience, and impeccable skill to assess and treat every kind of vision concerns and offers a range of services including dry eye treatment, comprehensive eye exams, pediatric eye exams, eye infection treatment, eye disease management, emergency eye care, contact lens services; and sports and specialty eyewear fitting.

Click HERE for the full press release.

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