KLAR Partners Limited acquires BÜHLMANN Laboratories AG

KLAR Partners Limited, a European private equity firm, has completed the acquisition of BÜHLMANN Laboratories AG, a renowned Swiss company specializing in in-vitro diagnostics. This strategic move, finalized on June 5th, 2024, signifies a promising future for BÜHLMANN, ensuring the continuation of its legacy as a leading independent specialty in-vitro diagnostics firm.

Founded in 1976, BÜHLMANN Laboratories AG has built a reputation for developing and marketing high-quality immunoassays, crucial for diagnosing gastrointestinal inflammation, autoimmunity, and allergies. Over the decades, the company has remained privately owned and has expanded its reach significantly. Its products are distributed through subsidiaries in several countries, including Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the USA, and Brazil, as well as through over 60 distributors worldwide.

The acquisition by KLAR Partners marks a pivotal moment in BÜHLMANN's history. Dr. Roland P. Bühlmann, the founder, expressed mixed emotions about the sale, noting that if circumstances were different, he would have preferred to continue leading the company. However, recognizing the importance of securing a stable future for BÜHLMANN, Dr. Bühlmann chose to transfer ownership to KLAR, a firm known for its expertise in managing founder transitions and investing in mid-sized companies within the business services and industrial technology sectors.

KLAR Partners, with its extensive experience and focus on companies with annual revenues ranging from EUR 50-500 million, is poised to support BÜHLMANN's continued growth. The firm, which operates across the DACH, Nordics, and Benelux regions, brings a wealth of knowledge and resources to the table. Ahmet Mesinoglu from KLAR Partners emphasized the commitment to maintaining BÜHLMANN’s identity and operational base in Schönenbuch, Switzerland. He assured that KLAR would continue to invest in BÜHLMANN and support its ambition to become a global leader in the specialty in-vitro diagnostics market.

As part of the acquisition, significant leadership changes are set to take place. Laurent Collignon, currently the Chief Business Development Officer at BÜHLMANN, will take over as CEO, succeeding Dr. Thomas Hafen, who has been instrumental in shaping the company over the past two decades. Dr. Hafen, who will retire from his role at the end of September 2024, expressed his satisfaction with the acquisition, viewing it as the best way to celebrate his 20 years with the company. He will continue to serve BÜHLMANN as a senior consultant, providing valuable expertise during the transition.

In addition, Donal Quinn, former CEO of Siemens Diagnostics, will join BÜHLMANN as the Chairman of the Advisory Board. This leadership transition is part of a broader succession plan designed to ensure that BÜHLMANN remains a robust and innovative player in the diagnostics industry.

Hoffmann & Partner, a Basel-based M&A advisory firm specializing in life sciences, acted as the exclusive financial advisor for the shareholders of BÜHLMANN during this transaction. The firm played a critical role in facilitating the acquisition, leveraging its technical and industrial expertise.

While the financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed, the focus remains on the strategic benefits and the continuity that KLAR Partners brings to BÜHLMANN. The acquisition promises to strengthen BÜHLMANN’s market position and ensure its growth and stability as it continues to provide high-quality diagnostic solutions to its global customer base.

Hoffmann Partner
Bühlmann