Nottingham lab supplies firm in £150m merger
A Nottingham-based supplier of laboratory equipment that has become the largest of its kind in the UK has merged with a French firm.
Scientific Laboratory Supplies (SLS), based in Wilford, has merged with French-based Dominique Dutscher (DD) to create a £150m-plus turnover company that will be the largest independent European distributor of laboratory supplies.
The deal has been approved by the Boards of both DD and SLS and is supported by their management teams who will continue to lead the business.
Jocelyne Cachat, marketing director at DD, said: “Dominique Dutscher has built upon its Life Science expertise to develop a significant share of the laboratory supplies market in France and other European countries.
“The group is well known for the quality of its service and technical support, the close relationship it maintains with customers and its capability to deliver through an extensive inventory and class-leading logistics capability.
“Joining with SLS will strengthen the position of the group in both the UK and Europe and it will allow us to share best practice whilst investing in new opportunities to build on our levels of service and customer satisfaction.
“We are particularly excited about the extension of our group activities and the geographical reach that this change will bring.”
Ian Roulstone, sales director at SLS, said: “SLS has grown significantly over its 25-year history through a solid commitment to people and a tailored, flexible approach to serving our customers. We have done this through remaining fully independent and maintaining a personal touch that marks us out from our global competitors. To be able to extend that same message on a European basis by joining together with such a like-minded organisation is the single most exciting and valuable development in our company’s history.”
Barclays supported the deal. Dan Wilson, relationship director said: “This is an exciting deal for both companies. Synergies across the Group will enable them to provide customers with a broader range of products and services both in the UK and across Europe.
“Like many of our customers, both parties decided the time was right for further investment targeted at achieving growth. These are highly professional and progressive companies thriving in their niche market and we wish them well.”
