Optical manufacturer Bushnell sold to private equity firm

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Bushnell Outdoor Products, which makes binoculars, telescopes and other optical and outdoors equipment, is changing hands again.

Wind Point Partners, which owns Bushnell, is selling the company to private equity firm MidOcean Partners, the companies said Thursday.

MidOcean didn't disclose financial details of the deal, expected to be completed by the end of August, but Bushnell chief executive officer Jeff Messner told The Kansas City Star the price was almost $600 million.

"This is a deeply exciting time, when the company has been growing as it has, for MidOcean to make this investment," Messner said.

Bushnell will remain based in suburban Kansas City, Mo., and will retain its senior management, who will own an undisclosed stake in the company.

The company was originally part of Bausch & Lomb and moved to Overland Park in 1992 when it acquired local binocular and telescope supplier Jason Empire Inc. It was sold to Worldwide Sports & Recreation in 1995 and to Chicago-based Wind Point in 1999 for $150 million.

Messner said the company, which sells products under such brand names as Bushnell, Tasco, Bolle and Serengeti, has grown more than 10 percent over the last couple years, with annual sales expected to reach $400 million this year.