maconda supports Odewald KMU with a Commercial Due Diligence for the majority stake in Polytech Ophthalmologie
maconda News March 2011
To implement its growth plans, Polytech Ophthalmologie, a leading provider of products for ophthalmology, has decided to enter into a partnership with Odewald KMU.
Founded in 1989, Polytech Ophthalmologie GmbH (“Polytech”) is one of the leading manufacturer-independent service providers in the market for cataract surgery (cataract operation) in Germany and supplies operating ophthalmologists with a comprehensive product range for cataract surgery. To support further growth, Polytech decided to enter into a partnership with Odewald KMU, a private equity firm specializing in mid-sized companies. To this end, Odewald KMU acquired a majority stake in Polytech from the Reese family. Rolf Reese, managing director of Polytech, and the existing management remain shareholders in the company.
The Cologne-based consulting firm maconda Corporate Development, one of the leading German providers of Commercial Due Diligences, was commissioned by Odewald KMU to conduct a comprehensive review. The focus of the examination was on Polytech’s current and future market position and the analysis of the regulatory environment. Thanks to the extensive existing expertise on the market for ophthalmic surgical products and the complex health insurance reimbursement system, a swift and detailed review was possible despite the complexity of the subject matter. Within three weeks, maconda conducted a complete Commercial Due Diligence review. “Through the collaboration between Odewald KMU and Polytech, the company’s high growth potential can be fully realized. We are pleased that our expertise in ophthalmology enabled us to make a significant contribution to the successful transaction,” stated Inna Ivanova, Senior Consultant at maconda.
In Germany, approximately 700,000 cataract operations were performed in 2010. Industry experts expect solid growth in the ophthalmic surgery market relevant to Polytech in the coming years as well. Key reasons include an increasingly aging population, product innovations, standardization of the operation, and a generally increasing health awareness among people. Industry experts anticipate market growth in Western Europe of approximately 6% annually. Germany, the most important customer country for Polytech, is the fifth-largest market in the world measured by sales volume.
In the successful fiscal year 2010, Polytech was able to increase revenue to over 20 million euros. This was achieved through the introduction of new products and expansion into European markets abroad. In addition to Germany, Polytech is now also active in Austria, Hungary, and Poland. Entry into additional European countries is specifically planned. Polytech had therefore decided to bring in Odewald KMU as an experienced partner. Odewald KMU is providing equity capital for expansion into additional European countries. “The partnership with Odewald KMU offers Polytech excellent opportunities to further develop the group’s growth through new customer relationships and entry into adjacent business areas, and to transfer day-to-day operational management to a younger generation in the medium term,” said Rolf Reese, managing director of Polytech.