CLEVELAND (August 3, 2015) – Blue Point Capital Partners, in conjunction with its portfolio company, Hilco Vision, announced today the acquisitions of Breitfeld & Schliekert GmbH (B&S) and Lexxoo International GmbH. These transactions represent the first add-on acquisitions for Hilco Vision since Blue Point acquired the platform investment in May 2014.
“Hilco Vision has long admired B&S and valued its strategic and cultural fit,” said John LeMay, a partner with Blue Point. “The collaboration of these respected market leaders will strengthen the comprehensive product offering and market responsiveness of the combined organization in bringing smart optical solutions to customers. With the addition of B&S and Lexxoo, Hilco continues its growth to become a truly international vision care solutions provider.”
Hilco Vision is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of eyewear and eye care accessories, supplies and equipment. Headquartered in Plainville, MA, with additional operations in North America, Europe and Australia, Hilco supplies over 20,000 products in a broad range of categories to more than 25,000 domestic and international customers.
Ross Brownlee, chief executive officer of Hilco, said, “Hilco Vision has enjoyed a strong presence and reputation in the United States and United Kingdom for many years. The same is true of B&S and Lexxoo in Germany and many parts of continental Europe. Both parties share a common purpose – to bring innovative solutions with exceptional quality to support our customers. Through this acquisition, we seek to further enhance those solutions and extend our reach to customers globally.”
Dominik Finkeldei, president of B&S, added, “B&S will remain a quality-driven, passionate supplier to our customers. We see the combination of our companies strengthening our offer of professional products and consumer goods to existing and new markets in the very near future.”
B&S is a Germany-based distributor of optical and optometric tools, equipment, supplies and accessories. Operating for over 85 years, B&S offers approximately 30,000 products to major optical chains, independent eye care offices and optical labs across Europe. With over 9,500 active customers, B&S is the largest provider of optical products in Germany.
Lexxoo, also based in Germany, supplies sunglasses, reading aids, contact lenses and related products to large retailers, including convenience and drug stores, throughout the country.
Blue Point Capital Partners is a private equity firm managing over $800 million in committed capital. Leveraging offices in Charlotte, Cleveland, Seattle and Shanghai, Blue Point’s entrenched regional presence affords it the opportunity to establish relationships on a local and regional basis with entrepreneurs and their trusted advisors, while simultaneously providing the resources of a large, international firm. The Blue Point group has a 25-year track record of partnering with companies in the lower middle market where it can bring about accelerated growth and transformative change in partnership with its companies, their management teams and Blue Point’s network of operating resources. Blue Point is one of only a few middle-market private equity firms with a presence in the economies of both the United States and China, and the firm’s experience with cross-border management and value drivers provides a distinct advantage for its portfolio businesses. Blue Point invests in manufacturing, distribution and service businesses generating $20 million to $200 million in revenue.
For more information, contact:
BLUE POINT CAPITAL PARTNERS
John LeMay
Partner
Blue Point Capital Partners, LLC
127 Public Square, Suite 5100
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 535-4707
HILCO VISION
Ross Brownlee
Chief Executive Officer
Hilco Vision
33 West Bacon Street
Plainville, MA 02762
(800) 955-6544