L&E Buys Minnesota-based Focus Market Research

In the US, focus group facilities and recruiting services company L&E Research has acquired Minneapolis-based Focus Market Research from President and owner Judy Opstad. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Launched in the 70s, Focus specializes in recruiting consumers, B2B and medical professionals, and patients, to participate in focus groups and 1:1s; while offering CLT computer assisted taste tests and interviews, usability labs, and videoconferencing and streaming from its Minneapolis base. Currently led by Opstad (pictured), it sold its local Phoenix panel to fieldwork specialist Schlesinger Associates last year.

As part of the latest deal, Focus will become part of L&E Research's network of facilities currently based in Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; Charlotte, NC; Raleigh, NC; St. Louis, MO; Tampa, FL; and Baltimore, MD. L&E President Brett Watkins comments: 'Focus Market Research and Judy Opstad have been an influential presence in the qualitative market research arena for over 35 years, and we're proud to add it to our team. We are looking forward to bringing L&E's combination of talent and technology to the Minneapolis market'.

Web sites: www.leresearch.com and www.focusmarketresearch.com .