Press

Shutterstock, a leading global creative platform offering full-service solutions, has acquired Giphy, the world's largest GIF library and search engine from Meta Platforms

PetMeds® Completes Acquisition of PetCareRx

GlobeNewswire, April 3, 2023
The Acquisition Is Expected to Accelerate Revenue Growth and Expand Addressable Market in a $120 Billion U.S. Industry
Heartwood Partners acquired NativeSeed Group, a pioneer in providing native seed and erosion control solutions
Kandu Capital, LLC Announces Sale of Skilled Nursing and Mental Health/Psychiatric Facilities Throughout California to Further Focus on Seniors Housing
PetMed Express, the leading online pet pharmacy, has entered a partnership with Pumpkin, a provider of pet insurance and wellness services

PetMeds to Acquire PetCareRx

GlobeNewswire, January 17, 2023
PetMed Express, the leading online pet pharmacy, has entered into an agreement to acquire PetCareRx, an online supplier of pet medications, food and supplies

Acquisition of Automation World

Endeavor Business Media, November 16, 2022
PMMI Media Group's AutomationWorld, the go-to source for automation professionals seeking information on industrial automation technologies, software and devices, has been acquired by Endeavor Business Media, a leading business-to-business media company delivering content, events and marketing solutions in numerous markets
Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA), the nation's largest community of independent eye care professionals, has been acquired by VSP Vision, a global leader in vision care health insurance, vision products and eye care

Balchem Corporation Acquires Bergstrom Nutrition

GlobeNewswire, August 30, 2022
Bergstrom Nutrition, a leading science-based manufacturer of nutritional ingredients, has been acquired by Balchem Corporation, a global leader in manufacturing specialty performance ingredients and products for the food, and pharmaceutical industries
Ryan, a leading global tax services and software provider, has acquired Paradigm Tax Group (PTG), a leading independent national provider of comprehensive property tax management services.
Shopko Optical announced that it has acquired Midwest Vision Centers, which operates 18 eyecare locations in Minnesota and North Dakota.
Shutterstock, a leading global creative platform offering full-service solutions, has acquired Pond5, the world's largest video-first content marketplace for filmmakers, media organizations, and marketers worldwide.
Cornell Capital, a private equity firm based in New York and Hong Kong, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Advancing Eyecare, North America's leading provider of ophthalmic instruments, from Atlantic Street Capital.
PetMed Express, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETS), Your Trusted Pet Health Expert, today announced an exclusive partnership and investment with Vetster Inc., a leading veterinary telemedicine and pet-care marketplace.
EssilorLuxottica, GrandVision, and Vision Group, one of the largest distribution networks for Italian opticians and a retail player under the VisionOttica banner, announced that the companies have completed the transaction for Vision Group to acquire the VistaSì chain in Italy

FortNine Acquires Defender

PR Newswire, February 17, 2022
FortNine, Canada's leading e-commerce platform for motorbikes, dirt bikes, ATVs, snowmobiles and other powersports equipment, accessories, and parts, announced today in partnership with Novacap the acquisition of Defender Industries Inc.
CareQuest Innovation Partners, the impact investing group of CareQuest with the mission of improving the oral health of all, has made a investment in Enable Dental
EssilorLuxottica, GrandVision and Vision Group, announced today that the companies have entered into an agreement for Vision Group to acquire the VistaSì chain in Italy, including the brand and all the 99 stores, and 75 GrandVision stores in the country
New Look Vision Group announces today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire New York-based Luxury Optical Holdings, creating the largest network of premium locations
Tilia Holdings, a Chicago-based private investment firm focused exclusively on the food and nutrition supply chain, is pleased to announce its investment in Stone Ground Bakery, a premium artisanal bakery in the Rocky Mountain region.
1-800 Contacts, the largest retailer of contact lenses in the U.S., announced the acquisition of Ditto. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. With the move, 1-800 Contacts’ executives say they intend to bring Ditto into a new business-to-business unit
Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF), through its U.S. business, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire DentaQuest, for US$2.475 billion (approximately C$3.1 billion)
FittingBox, a leading provider of augmented reality technologies and virtual try-on solutions for the optical industry, has sold a minority equity stake to JINS, a leading Japanese eyewear retailer
Shutterstock, a leading global creative platform, announced the acquisition of PicMonkey, a leading online graphic design and image editing platform

GovExec Acquires 1105 Media Inc’s Public Sector 360 Group

GovExec Press Release, August 31, 2021
GovExec, the leading information services and insights company for government leaders and contractors, today announced the carve-out and acquisition of 1105 Media Inc’s Public Sector 360 Group
Broadridge Financial Solutions, a global Fintech leader, today announced that it is further enhancing its regulatory compliance capabilities for broker-dealers with the acquisition of the cloud-based ECS assets from Jordan & Jordan
CapM Advisors is pleased to announce the addition of Brian DeCicco as a Managing Director.

Farm Journal Announces Upcoming Acquisition

Farm Journal, April 28, 2021
Farm Journal has reached an agreement in principle to purchase the assets of AgFax, a multi-eNewsletter company that primarily serves producers growing cotton, rice, peanuts and tree crops.
Signature MD, Inc. and Cypress Membership Medicine, LLC, two leading providers in membership-based concierge medicine have merged in partnership with management and Blue Sea Capital LLC.

VidMob Raises $50 Million Series C

Businesswire, February 24, 2021
VidMob Raises $50 Million Series C to Accelerate Broad Adoption of its Platform for Intelligent Creative
Shutterstock, now known as the world's largest 3D marketplace, announced today that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire TurboSquid, Inc.
1-800 Contacts, the largest retailer of contact lenses in the U.S., today announced a definitive agreement under which global investment firm KKR will acquire the company from AEA Investors.
MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Versant Health from an investor group led by Centerbridge Partners and including FFL Partners for approximately $1.675 billion in an all-cash transaction.
NEW YORK—The outlook was rosy in January and February. Business was strong, the eyecare and eyewear sectors were firing on nearly all cylinders. Until the pandemic arrived.
Datalogic, a global leader in the automatic data capture and process automation markets, announced that it completed the sale of Solution Net Systems, a leading global supplier of automated logistic systems
SignatureMD and Paragon Private Health, two leading providers in membership-based concierge medicine, have merged in partnership with management and Blue Sea Capital.
Granite Seed, a one-stop provider of high quality native seed and erosion control products announced it's sale to S&S Seeds.
CapM Advisors is pleased to announce the addition of Geoff Loos as a Managing Director. Mr. Loos will be heading an office in Salt Lake City with the intent to further develop the firm’s presence and reach across the Western U.S.
1-800 Contacts, the leading online contact lens retailer announced that it has entered into a definitive written agreement to acquire 6over6 Vision Ltd.

VSP Vision Care Acquires Community Eye Care

Vision Monday, August 27, 2019
VSP Vision Care has acquired Community Eye Care (CEC), a North Carolina-based vision benefits company that manages vision plans on behalf of employer groups and health insurers. Through this acquisition, VSP is expanding its business in the Southeastern region of the U.S.
DentaQuest has entered into an agreement with a like-minded minority equity partner that shares our passion for Preventistry and that will provide additional capital to accelerate our growth strategy and improve the oral health of millions of Americans.
VSP Global® announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire San Antonio, Texas-based Visionworks, subject to completion of regulatory approval. With a footprint of more than 700 stores in nearly 40 states, the Visionworks acquisition will be the single largest VSP network investment in the company’s 65-year history.
Blue Sea Capital announced that it has, in partnership with management, made a significant investment in SignatureMD to position the Company for continued growth.
DentaQuest, LLC, the principal company in the nation’s leading purpose‐driven oral health care organization, and DCP Holding Company, the parent company of The Dental Care Plus Group (DCPG), a leading provider of dental insurance in the Midwest, announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement, under which DentaQuest will acquire the DCPG companies as wholly‐owned subsidiaries.
Cornerstone Foodservice Group adds third company to portfolio by acquiring Astra, a designer and manufacturer of premium coffee equipment for both the commercial and home segments.

CapM Advises Favini

December 21, 2018
CapM Advisors is pleased to announce the completion of a buyout of that FAVINI Srl (Favini) by its management team and funds managed by Fortress Investment Group LLC (Fortress). Favini was previously controlled by Orlando Italy. The transaction closed on December 21, 2018.
Fielmann Ventures GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fielmann AG, announced on November 27th that it has subscribed to a capital increase for a 20% equity ownership stake in FittingBox S.A., the world leader in 3D Try-On solutions dedicated to eyewear. This investment is a decisive step in Fielmann's digitization strategy. Both parties agreed to keep the financial terms of the transaction confidential.
Austin-based tech startup Wikibuy, which helps shoppers compare prices at Amazon and hundreds of other online retailers, has been acquired by financial services giant Capital One, the companies said Tuesday.
RCF Group, one of the fastest growing group in the Pro Audio market today announced that it is acquiring Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW), an iconic company in the history of Installation and Touring sound headquartered in Whitinsville, MA from LOUD Audio LLC, a portfolio company of Transom Capital Group.
Luxury Optical Holdings (LOH) will sell its 16 Optica specialty eyewear boutiques to Emerging Vision, Inc. (EVI). The purchase price was undisclosed for the transaction which will take effect on Feb. 16. Executives at both companies described the deal to VMAIL as a “win-win-win,” for each group and for the industry. Optica operates 10 stores in Las Vegas as well as three locations in California, one in Chicago, one in Houston and one in Orlando.

Liingo Eyewear Acquired by 1-800 Contacts

PR Newswire, January 30, 2018
Liingo Eyewear is changing the conversation in the outdated eyewear market and getting recognized by industry players, most recently 1-800 Contacts. Liingo's promising start inspired the acquisition by 1-800 Contacts at the end of 2017. This addition will mean an increase in customers for both brands.
Today, Centerbridge Partners, L.P. (Centerbridge) and HVHC Inc. (HVHC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Highmark Inc. (Highmark), announced that they have closed on their multifaceted transaction announced on August 9, 2017.

Private Equity Takes Root in Optical

Vision Monday, November 17, 2017
New Investments Fuel Growth for U.S. Retailers and Independent ECPs
Centerbridge to expand and grow existing vision insurance business; Highmark to focus on Visionworks retail business; and Highmark Health to accelerate integrated health care and coverage strategy through significant capital infusion
Milan, Italy, May 18, 2017 – Limoni S.p.A. (“Limoni”) and La Gardenia Beauty S.p.A. (“La Gardenia”), together operating as Leading Luxury Group S.r.l, (“LLG”), today announced that they have agreed to be simultaneously acquired by Profumerie Douglas S.p.A., the Italian subsidiary of Douglas GmbH (“Douglas”) from a group of investors led by the private equity firm Orlando Italy Management SA (“Orlando Italy”).

Orlando Cede Limoni La Gardenia: Incarico Alla Newyorkese CapM

Sole24Ore, February 27, 2017, Carlo Festa
Riassetto in vista per le profumerie Limoni-La Gardenia. Secondo indiscrezioni sarebbero infatti arrivate alcune manifestazioni d’interesse non sollecitate per la catena di profumerie. A cedere il gruppo sarà Leading Luxury Group, la holding che controlla le due catene di profumerie e che, a propria volta, è partecipata dal fondo di private equity Orlando Italy. Ad avere ricevuto l’incarico sarebbe stata la boutique newyorkese CapM.

Highmark Courts Buyers for Profitable Vision Unit

Pittsburgh Tribune, June 22, 2016, Ben Schmitt
Highmark Health, which has lost about $773 million on the federal health insurance marketplace, appears to be exploring the sale of its profitable vision care business. The sale of Highmark's HVHC vision subsidiary could bring in $2 billion in revenue.

Highmark Health Seeks Buyer for Vision Unit

Wall Street Journal, June 21, 2016, Anna Wilde Mathews and Matt Jarzemsky
Pittsburgh nonprofit is working with merger-advisory firm CapM to find buyer for HVHC. Highmark Health is seeking to sell its vision unit, which could bring in around $2 billion, after the Blue Cross Blue Shield insurer suffered losses in its core health-coverage business.
DRAPER, Utah, Dec. 16, 2015 / PRNewswire / -- AEA Investors, LP ("AEA") announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest of 1-800 Contacts, Inc. (the "Company") from Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. ("THL"), who will remain a significant shareholder in the Company. Credit Suisse and Barclays, as well as an affiliate of the Merchant Banking Division of Goldman Sachs, are providing debt financing to support the purchase. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.