Medical manufacturer makes acquisition

DRIVE Medical, a leading manufacturer and distributor of durable medical equipment in the European market, has announced the acquisition of the business of Days Healthcare Products from Patterson Medical.

Elland-based Drive Medical obtained a seven-figure funding facility from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to support the acquisition.

The product lines acquired include homecare and long-term care beds, mobility scooters, powered and configured wheelchairs, riser recliner products, hoists and other related items. As part of the acquisition, Drive now markets well-known and established brands as Casa (beds and hoists), ST (scooters), Seren, Volt and Multego (powered wheelchairs) and Serena (riser recliner chairs). Drive also acquired the manufacturing and distribution facility of Days Healthcare located at Bridgend, Wales.

Richard McGleenan, managing director of Drive UK, said: “We are excited to add the Days Healthcare product lines to the Drive family of products. The combination of the Days Healthcare product line with Drive’s broad product portfolio will greatly accelerate the growth of Drive Medical in the European market. Additionally this acquisition increases our presence in the mobility sector while adding new products and technologies to our existing product offering.”

In addition to the new product opportunities for Drive’s existing customer base in the European market, this acquisition will enable the company to enter the long-term care market and become a leading player in the homecare bed market in Europe.

Harvey Diamond, chairman and CEO of Drive, said: “Not only does this acquisition expand our growing presence in the European marketplace and enhance our position as a global manufacturer and distributor of durable medical equipment, it also provides increased manufacturing capacity and more diversified design and technology capabilities in Europe.”

Andy Croasdell, relationship director at RBS in Leeds, said: “We have been supporting Drive Medical since its inception and are delighted to support the business as it develops further with its latest acquisition. Our facilities will provide Drive Medical with the platform it needs to continue developing products to meet its wide-reaching customer base.”