UK‑listed Bridgepoint, a global mid‑market investor, is to acquire a majority shareholding in Altano Group, the world’s largest group of equine clinics and practice, from Ufenau Capital Partners, a privately-owned Swiss investor group. Founder Dr Victor Baltus, senior management and veterinary leaders, will remain invested in the business.
Terms of the transaction are not disclosed.
Ufenau first invested in Altano in 2017 when Altano was a single site veterinary care clinic with sub-€10m sales. It has supported Altano’s international expansion to become the leading global equine veterinary group, bringing together 110 equine clinics and ambulatory practices and a network of almost 1,000 veterinarians across Europe, North America and Oceania.
“From relatively humble beginnings and through the establishment of our continuation vehicle to further scale the business, Altano is today the world’s leading and largest equine veterinary platform,” said Dieter Scheiff, senior partner of Ufenau. “We are confident they have found the right partner to support continued future growth.”
Altano was rolled over into Ufenau Continuation 3 in 2023.
Today, Altano provides a comprehensive range of premium services, including routine and emergency veterinary care, advanced imaging, surgery, sports medicine and breeding services, whilst generating more than €350m of sales.
“What attracted us to Altano was its outstanding clinical reputation, international position and the unique culture that Victor and his colleagues have built over many years,” said Carsten Kratz, partner and head of DACH at Bridgepoint. “Our role is to support that vision, investing . . . in people, specialist capabilities and international growth.”
As part of the partnership, Boris Zjacic will join Altano as Group CEO, with Baltus becoming president. Zjacic brings more than 25 years of international healthcare leadership experience, having previously served as CEO of Artemis and as COO of Diaverum – where he worked for several years with Bridgepoint during its ownership.
“In Bridgepoint, we have found a partner who understands what we have built, shares our vision and has the expertise to help us realise it,” said Baltus. “I am delighted to welcome them, and to work together [to] take the group into its next chapter.”
Bridgepoint was advised by JP Morgan and Rothschild & Co (M&A), Bain & Company (Commercial), KPMG and EY (Financial and Tax), and Kirkland & Ellis (Legal)
Ufenau was advised by Jefferies (M&A), McKinsey (Commercial), PwC (Financial and Tax), and Görg (Lead Counsel).
