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www.ak.se
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During Valedo’s ownership Akademikliniken has evolved to become the Nordic market leader in plastic surgery and aesthetic treatments. The company has successfully implemented a number of growth initiatives, including the establishment of three new hospitals and walk-in clinics and completion of two strategic acquisitions. Furthermore, the company has put significant focus on being at the forefront internationally in terms of research and service development by building and strengthening its service offering, investing in education and the development of new methods and technologies in cooperation with leading suppliers.
Akademikliniken, the Nordic leader in plastic surgery and aesthetic treatments, was founded in 1991 by Per Hedén and Jan Jernbeck with a shared vision of creating a large clinic for high technology medical care, specialised in plastic surgery, with the motto ”Beauty through science”. In 2011, Valedo invested in Akademikliniken with a plan of accelerated growth and development of the service offering. Per Hedén and Jan Jernbeck remained significant minority shareholders in Akademikliniken in partnership with Valedo, management, other key employees and the board of directors.
In order to achieve the position as the Nordic leader in plastic surgery and aesthetic treatments, a number of initiatives have been implemented during Valedo’s ownership:
As Akademikliniken during 2015 had surpassed the targets set out at the time of Valedo’s acquisition in 2011, an evaluation of a potential divestment was initiated. Therefore a sales process was initiated in the spring of 2016 and discussions where held with several parties expressing an interest in acquiring Akademikliniken. The result was that Akademikliniken, in June 2016, was divested to Polaris Private Equity, a private equity firm founded in 1999 investing in medium-sized companies in Denmark and Sweden.
Polaris Private Equity IV K/S (”Polaris”) has agreed to acquire the majority holding in Akademikliniken, the Nordic leader in plastic surgery and aesthetic treatment, from Valedo Partners Fund I AB (”Valedo”). The majority of the other shareholders of Akademikliniken, comprising key employees and founders, remain significant shareholders alongside Polaris. Since Valedo’s investment in 2011 Akademikliniken
Valedo has reached an agreement to invest in Akademikliniken, the leading Swedish aesthetic and reconstructive surgery group. The investment is made in partnership with Akademikliniken’s founders and employees. With Valedo as a new co-owner, Akademikliniken will have additional resources, in the form of competence and capital, to drive growth while remaining committed to offering a
What has been accomplished
During Valedo’s ownership Akademikliniken has evolved to become the Nordic market leader in
plastic surgery and aesthetic treatments. The company has successfully implemented a number of
growth initiatives, including the establishment of three new hospitals and walk-in clinics and completion
of two strategic acquisitions of Specialistkliniken – the market leading plastic surgery actor
in Gothenburg, and Ellipse Klinikken – a player focusing on non-surgical treatments with seven
walk-in clinics in Norway and Sweden. As a result, the number of units (hospitals and walk-in
clinics) has increased from three in 2011 to sixteen in 2015. Furthermore, the company has put significant
focus on being at the forefront internationally in terms of research and service development
by building and strengthening its service offering, investing in education and the development of
new methods and technologies in cooperation with leading suppliers. During Valedo’s ownership the
focus on customer satisfaction has intensified with continuous monitoring and follow-up – resulting
in a significant increase in the proportion of recurring customers during this period.