Pacific Artisan Labs Welcomes New Ownership Partners

PORTLAND, OR.—Pacific Artisan Labs (PAL), an independent laboratory group with its headquarters based here, has announced  that nine more independent, private practice ECPs have joined to become ownership partners in their growing lab network. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed. “At PAL we launched a new growth strategy in response to the growing consolidation of our industry and are honored to bring some of the nation’s top ODs and their practices to our ownership team in light of these consolidation efforts,” stated Brandon Butler, president and CEO of PAL.

He added, “We feel this is a positive disruption model that creates lab equity opportunities for those who wish to remain independent at the practice level while recognizing a revenue stream they did not have access to previously.” 
 
He continued, “This helps insulate the ECP and increase practice profitability as well as the lab with a unique integration model that may be a game changer.” Butler told VMAIL that Pacific Artisan Labs has expansion plans for 10 laboratories over the next five years spread throughout the country, all of which will be majority owned by independent ECPs.
 
The most recent new partners joining Pacific Artisan Labs (PAM) include Vail Vision in Edwards, Colo.; Roaring Fork Vision in Basalt, Colo.; Denver Vision in Lakewood, Colo.; Carbon Valley Eye Care in Fredrick, Colo.; Complete Family Vision Care in San Diego, Calif.; Valley Vision in Glenwood Springs, Colo.; and EyeStyles (3 locations) in Portland, Ore.
 
Eric M. White, OD and owner of San Diego-based Complete Family Vision Care, said, “In today's world it is very important for private practice doctors to partner with a lab interested in helping the independent ECP to survive and thrive. I found just that lab and am excited to be partnering with Pacific Artisan Labs. They want to help me grow my practice and I want to help them grow their lab. We need to keep the future bright and now I know I will,”
 
“I chose to partner with Pacific Artisan Labs to ensure independent optometric practices have the choice of an independent lab with high quality and efficiency, and a vision for the future of optometry,” said Dr. Christopher Thorsland OD and owner of Portland, Ore.-based EyeStyles. 

“We are laying the foundation to become one of the largest independent lab networks in the country, and this is just the beginning,” said Butler. “As news spreads about what we are doing, we expect the interest from those who want to remain independent and have a say in their lab, will only grow leaps and bounds.”
 
Butler, an experienced lab and lens executive, formed  Pacific Artisan Labs in 2018. He told VMAIL that there are currently 25 practice locations among the ECPs taking part in the PAL approach. 
 
To learn more about Pacific Artisan Labs' expansion strategy, read the special feature "Consolidation Meets Cooperation" in the VM Lab Report section of VM's January/February issue which will be posted to www.VisionMonday.com on Feb. 7.