Vision Group Merges with LensOnline in Strategic Expansion
Deal News | Jun 30, 2025 | Legal Community Swiss
Niederer Kraft Frey (NKF) provided legal counsel to Vision Group, a leading distributor of contact lenses, in its strategic merger with LensOnline. The merger aims to enhance the distribution network and market reach of both entities, notably in Switzerland, Benelux, and Italy. The transaction also involved securing new financing from UBS Switzerland, which was assisted by Advestra. Vision Group, supported by Dutch private equity firm Quadrum Capital, stands to benefit from the expertise of multiple advisors, including legal, tax, and commercial consultants such as 9Corporate, DLA Piper, Walder Wyss, Ashurst, Monard Law, PROGRESSYV, and Deloitte. Debt advisory was provided by Houlihan Lokey, demonstrating the collaborative effort to optimize the merger outcome.
Sectors
- Healthcare
- Financial Services
- Private Equity
- Legal Services
Geography
- Switzerland – Vision Group is based in Switzerland and was advised by Swiss legal firm NKF.
- Benelux – LensOnline is active across the Benelux region, extending the geographical scope of the merger.
- Italy – LensOnline’s market presence in Italy is relevant to the article's details on geographical reach.
- Netherlands – Quadrum Capital, involved in backing the transaction, is a Dutch private equity firm.
Industry
- Healthcare – The article involves companies in the distribution of contact lenses, a healthcare product.
- Financial Services – The merger involved significant financial operations, including financing from UBS Switzerland, debt advisory by Houlihan Lokey, and tax advice by Deloitte.
- Private Equity – Quadrum Capital, a private equity firm, backed the transaction, highlighting the involvement of the private equity sector.
- Legal Services – Numerous legal firms, including NKF, Advestra, and others, were involved in advising on the legal aspects of the merger.
Financials
- Not specified – The exact financial terms of the merger and the financing arrangement were not disclosed in the article.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vision Group | Target Company | Company | A distributor of contact lenses across Switzerland and Europe. |
| LensOnline | Target Company | Company | A company selling contact lenses via an omnichannel approach, active in Benelux and Italy. |
| Niederer Kraft Frey (NKF) | Legal Advisor | Company | Legal advisor to Vision Group on its merger with LensOnline. |
| UBS Switzerland | Financial Arranger, Agent, and Lender | Company | Provided financing for the merger transaction. |
| Advestra | Legal Advisor | Company | Advised UBS Switzerland on the financing aspects of the merger. |
| Quadrum Capital | Private Equity Backer | Company | Dutch private equity firm backing the merger. |
| 9Corporate, DLA Piper, Walder Wyss, Ashurst, Monard Law | Legal Advisors | Company | Firms involved in providing legal counsel for the merger. |
| PROGRESSYV | Commercial Advisor | Company | Advised Vision Group shareholders on commercial aspects of the merger. |
| Deloitte | Tax Advisor | Company | Provided tax advisory services in the merger. |
| Houlihan Lokey | Debt Advisor | Company | Worked as debt advisor for the merger. |