Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is adding to its consumable-plastic, single-use portfolio with the acquisition of Sterilin Ltd., a Welsh provider of products to the microbiology, life sciences and clinical markets.
“It's really about global reach. They offer a local footprint in Europe, particularly in the [United Kingdom],” said Chuck Kummeth, president of Thermo Fisher's laboratory consumables business, in a May 18 conference call.
Sterilin, based in Newport, Wales, employs 270 and listed 2010 sales of about $35 million. It recently moved into a new 140,000-square-foot facility.
TFS acquired the firm from Nova Capital Management Ltd. He noted there is very little overlap with Sterilin products, which include petri dishes, specimen containers, serological pipettes, packaging bottles and silicone tubing.
He said that there are many synergies. Thermo Fisher Scientific can help with research and development and also distribute products worldwide. Sterilin offers a new facility, built with help from local authorities and has room for increased capacity.
He added that Thermo Fisher Scientific is expanding in China. In March, it announced that it was building a facility in Suzhou to make lab instruments; it is set for completion in early 2012.
TFS has more than 1,400 workers in China, having opened a demonstration lab and a technology center ther in the last 14 months.
TFS has sales of $11 billion and employs 37,000 worldwide.
