Abris-backed Scanmed buys Polish healthcare business
Acquisition of Centrum Rehabilitacji will strengthen Scanmed’s transition to become the largest independent healthcare provider in Poland
31 January 2024, Warsaw – Abris Capital Partners (“Abris”), the ESG transformation specialist private equity investor and B Corp, has supported Scanmed, a Polish healthcare business, in acquiring 100% of the shares in Centrum Rehabilitacji Sp. z o.o., a fast-growing rehabilitation provider in Poland. The acquisition follows that of Med-Lux in November, and is part of Abris’ strategy to create the leading independent medical provider in Poland.
Centrum Rehabilitacji runs its centre in Chorzów, offering comprehensive rehabilitation treatment services, including manual therapy, physical therapy and rehabilitation programmes. The company has been providing medical services for over 20 years, treating more than 20,000 patients annually. Centrum Rehabilitacji boasts a strong team therapists and doctors implementing a modern and comprehensive cardiac care programme.
Sylwester Urbanek, Investment Director at Abris Capital Partners, commented:
“The acquisition of Centrum Rehabilitacji is another step in our ambitious buy-and-build strategy for Scanmed. This is the second acquisition in recent months and the third since our investment in Scanmed. Our goal is to build a medical group providing modern and comprehensive patient care. We are delighted to welcome Centrum Rehabilitacji on board and we look forward to continuing to build the quality of care we provide in key therapeutic areas.”
The acquisition will significantly strengthen the implementation of the Scanmed’s strategy in building the highest standards of cardiology in Poland, in particular under Coordinated Specialized Care (KOS-Zawał). This programme focuses on supplementing hospitalisation with constant cardiac care and rehabilitation, and has a mortality rate up to two times lower than seen in patients that do not receive such care.
Abris acquired Scanmed in 2020 with a plan to build a local healthcare champion by improving and growing the group’s service offering in areas including cardiology, oncology, orthopedics and ophthalmology, and by expanding its country-wide geographic coverage. In 2023, the group – which is considered one of Poland’s most trusted healthcare providers – doubled its revenues and EBITDA. In addition to last year’s add-on of outpatient and rehabilitation business Med-Lux, Scanmed also completed the acquisition of cancer care provider ARS Medical at the end of 2022.
Andrzej Podlipski, CEO of Scanmed, added:
“Scanmed has been consistently expanding its offer of medical services for many years, in the areas of medical clinics and hospitals, addressing the most common medical challenges in our country. The acquisition of Centrum Rehabilitacji is an important element of our strategy to offer modern healthcare in Poland. Cardiology is developing towards solutions based on a combination of emergency treatment and rehabilitation care, which is why we want to provide our patients with access to coordinated care at the highest level and the widest possible range of therapies.”
Healthcare is one of the five strategic sectors that Abris focuses on. Its strong fundamentals are underpinned by a rapidly ageing population in Poland and increasing governmental healthcare spending aimed at improving the quality of service and the comprehensiveness of care. Abris’ previous investments in the healthcare sector include Matexlab, a Swiss vendor of innovative aesthetic medicine products, and Dentotal Protect, the leading distributor of dental consumables, instruments and equipment in Romania and Bulgaria.