Orthodontic specialist acquired by Swedish investor
An independent supplier of orthodontic products in the UK has been acquired by a Swedish investment group.
Founded in 1982 by Kelvin Scott and Richard Garford, Ortho-Care is a supplier of orthodontic products within the UK.
It operates from a purpose-built facility in Shipley and offers products to healthcare professionals in the UK and worldwide.
The company has been acquired by Sweden-based Lifco. With more than 200 operating companies in over 30 countries across its core business areas of dental, demolition and tools, and systems solutions, Ortho-Care bolsters Lifco’s strong presence in the dental supply chain.
The acquisition adds to its current portfolio of manufacturers and suppliers of consumables, equipment, and technical services to dentists in Europe and the US.
Scott said: “After deciding the time was right to sell our business, we contacted Translink Corporate Finance to act on our behalf to find the right buyer for Ortho-Care.
“Having spoken to a number of interested parties from across the world we are pleased to have been able to conclude a deal with Lifco.
“They are the perfect fit for us given our alignment on business ethos and strong focus on delivering exceptional levels of customer service.”
Lorna Mendelsöhn, UK acquisition director at Lifco, said: “We are pleased to have Ortho-Care join the Lifco dental division.
“We very much look forward to working with the team to continue its development and strengthen our position in the UK market.”
The Ortho-Care shareholders were advised by a cross-border Translink Corporate Finance team led by Matt Scott and Hamish Morrison, with additional support provided by Will Sykes and Fredrik Ullberg.
Susan Clark of LCF Law acted as legal adviser, with additional tax support provided by BHP LLP.
Matt Scott, partner at Translink, said: “Ortho-Care is a market leading, highly cash generative asset within the UK Orthodontics sector which complements Lifco’s core dental business and wider investment strategy.
“A key objective of the co-founders was to find a partner who would preserve the company’s culture and values, Lifco’s decentralised approach meets this aspiration. I’m sure it will prove to be an excellent home for the Ortho-Care business.”
Lifco was advised by Walker Morris and BDO.
