Mehiläinen, Finland's largest healthcare and social care provider, is expanding its international footprint by acquiring two prominent healthcare companies: Regina Maria in Romania and MediGroup in Serbia. This strategic move is part of Mehiläinen's growth strategy and involves a partnership with Hellman & Friedman, which joins CVC as a major investor. The acquisitions are pending regulatory and customary approvals.
Regina Maria is Romania's leading private healthcare provider, offering a variety of outpatient and hospital services through its 300 units and 11,000 professionals, serving over 2 million customers annually. MediGroup, Regina Maria's sister company, is a key player in Serbia's private healthcare market, operating 100 units with over 2,500 employees. Together, these companies generated approximately 550 million euros in revenue in 2024. The seller of these assets is the private equity firm MidEuropa.
Both Regina Maria and MediGroup are recognized for their commitment to medical excellence and high-quality healthcare services. Regina Maria holds Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, demonstrating its adherence to international patient safety and care standards. The company has seen significant growth, with its revenue increasing tenfold over the past 15 years, primarily through organic means. Following the acquisition, Regina Maria's CEO, Fady Chreih, and his management team will remain in their positions.
In addition to the acquisitions, Mehiläinen has welcomed Hellman & Friedman as a new investor, joining CVC Funds, which has been involved since 2018. Hellman & Friedman brings 25 years of European investment experience, particularly in the healthcare sector. This new funding will enhance Mehiläinen's growth strategy, which aims to expand both domestically and internationally through new services, improved customer experiences, and strategic acquisitions, all while maintaining high standards of patient care.
Janne-Olli Järvenpää, Mehiläinen's CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisitions and the commitment from new investors. He highlighted Regina Maria's rapid growth and quality service, noting the opportunity to collaborate with its management team. He also acknowledged MediGroup's strong market position. Over the past decade, Mehiläinen's revenue has increased fivefold, underscoring the importance of private equity partners in supporting its international expansion and service development.
Fady Chreih, CEO of Regina Maria and Chair of the Board of MediGroup, emphasized the significance of this investment, reflecting Mehiläinen's confidence in the economic potential of Romania and Serbia. He expressed excitement about transforming the European private healthcare landscape through strong management and a unified vision, aiming for a future of advanced, digitalized, and accessible healthcare while prioritizing patient safety and care quality.
Søren Vestergaard-Poulsen, a Managing Partner at CVC, praised Mehiläinen's management for their successful transformation over the past decade, maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit and customer-focused culture essential for the company's success. Mehiläinen is positioned at the forefront of healthcare service trends, particularly in digital delivery.
