Investment funds managed by Morgan Stanley Capital Partners (MSCP), the middle-market focused private equity team at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, have completed an investment in Emler Swim School (Emler or the Company).
MSCP is partnering with the current management team and investor group led by Emler Chief Executive Officer Greg Laird and President and Chief Financial Officer Jim Draudt, who will continue to lead the business.
Headquartered in Dallas, Emler is an operator of swim schools in the United States, operating more than 38 locations in Texas, Kansas, Oregon, Nevada, Wisconsin, Virginia and Massachusettc. Through purpose-built facilities, the Company teaches an average of 30,000 students per week and offers a set of courses for swimmers across age groups, ranging from infants to five-year-olds and older. Emler has grown into a leading platform in the industry through strong organic growth and strategic acquisitions, having acquired more than 15 locations since 2017.
The MSCP team identified swim schools as a focus sector within the education vertical two years ago, and this investment represents a continuation of MSCP’s specific focus on multi-unit education and consumer services. MSCP intends to support Emler as it seeks to serve more communities through the acquisition of leading swim schools throughout the country and partner with them to invest in their businesses and support their employee bases.
Debevoise & Plimpton served as legal counsel to MSCP. Foley & Lardner served as legal counsel to Emler.
