11th Apr 2007 12:45
United Drug PLC11 April 2007 UNITED DRUG ACQUIRES BELGIAN BASED PHARMACEUTICAL CONTRACT PACKAGING BUSINESS United Drug plc, a leading provider of services to healthcare manufacturers andpharmaceutical retailers in Ireland and the UK today (Wednesday, 11th April2007) announced that it has acquired the Pharma and Healthcare packagingdivision of Budelpack International, based in Hamont in Northern Belgium. The Budelpack Hamont business is an FDA-approved facility that provides a fullrange of contract packaging services designed specifically for thepharmaceutical and healthcare industry and they work with a number ofinternational manufacturers throughout Europe. The business currently employsapproximately 140 people, including senior management, all of whom will remainwith the business. Speaking today, United Drug's Chief Executive, Liam FitzGerald said: "The acquisition of the Budelpack Hamont business is a significant development for our Supply Chain Services Division and for the United Drug Group. This is the first development into Continental Europe of our strategy to build an international pharma and healthcare services company and a continuation of our focus on higher margin activities where we can add value to our pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturer customer base. The acquired business fits very well with our existing packaging business in the UK, TD Packaging. "Budelpack Hamont is a business focussed on delivering a high quality service to customers and it is led by an excellent management team. I welcome all new employees to the United Drug Group". Ends. Wednesday, 11th April 2007 For reference: Liam FitzGerald Pauline McAlesterUnited Drug plc Murray ConsultantsTel: +353-1-4598877 Tel: +353-1-4980300 Investors and AnalystsMark Kenny/Jonathan NeilanK Capital SourceTel: +353-1-6315500 About United Drug plc United Drug is a leading provider of services to healthcare manufacturers andpharmaceutical retailers. It is the largest pharmaceutical wholesaler in theisland of Ireland. UD is also the market leader in contract distributionoutsourcing (pre-wholesaling) in Ireland and has achieved the No. 1 position inthe UK through its joint venture business UniDrug Distribution (UDG). In addition to contract distribution services for pharma manufacturers, UnitedDrug provides contract distribution, sales & marketing and technical services toMedical & Scientific equipment & consumable manufacturers, with a market leadingposition in Ireland and an emerging presence in the UK. United Drug is also a leading provider of contract sales outsourcing services topharmaceutical manufacturers in the UK and Ireland. About Budelpack With approximately 1,600 employees across six European countries, Budelpack isone of Europe's largest contract manufacturers and contract packers for brandowners in Fast Moving Consumer Goods. In 2006 the company generated a turnoverof €210 million serving primarily brand owners in the Personal and Home Caremarket segments. Budelpack systematically helps its customers to build theirbrands through product introductions, samplings and the business processoutsourcing of manufacturing and packing processes. Further information on thecompany can be found on Budelpack's website at www.budelpack.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
UDG.L