OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--MidOcean Partners, a middle market private equity fund, and Bushnell Outdoor Products, a manufacturer of sports optics, premium eyewear, and outdoor accessories, have announced that its portfolio company, Bushnell, has acquired the Simmons brand and certain other assets of Simmons Outdoor Corporation from Meade Instruments Corp., (NASDAQ:MEAD) a California-based publicly traded company. The parties signed a definitive purchase agreement and the transaction closed on June 12, 2008.

Simmons, founded in 1983, provides hunters and sportsmen with the Master Series line of riflescopes and the Simmon’s ProSport compact and full size line of binoculars. Bushnell’s acquisition of Simmons includes their complete line of riflescopes and binoculars, as well as spotting scopes and continues the expansion of the family of outdoor brands under the Bushnell Outdoor Products umbrella. “The Simmons optical products complement the current Bushnell offering of superior optics, performance and design. This acquisition provides us additional opportunities to broaden brand awareness amongst outdoor enthusiasts and our retail customers,” said a spokesperson for Bushnell.

“The Simmons line provides a strategic asset and a valuable brand to our company,” said Joe Messner, president and CEO of Bushnell Outdoor Products. “We want to continue to provide value and service to the loyal Simmons customers and consumers that they have grown to expect over the past 30 years.” ■