Change in Tactics Could Prove Best Business Buy-Out


Plimsoll’s latest acquisition analysis insists there has never been a better time to seek out an acquisition – but not for the reasons you might think.


The market analyst has looked into the acquisition attractiveness of the UK’s largest 650 scientific & laboratory equipment companies and has identified 45 firms as classic acquisitions – underperforming businesses that predators would usually look for.


However, the research company suggests that it is time buyers should be looking to broaden their horizons away from these classic acquisitions and should instead take a look at the 41 companies identified as high value acquisitions.


Cancer Care Centre Acquires TrueBeam Devices


Cancer patients in the north-east of England will be able to receive modern radiosurgery treatments without having to travel outside the region since the Northern Centre for Cancer Care (NCCC) in Newcastle–upon-Tyne announced that it is acquiring two TrueBeam™ STx medical linear accelerators from Varian Medical Systems.


The new systems, which will offer advanced stereotactic radiosurgery treatments for the first time, are scheduled for installation at the City’s Freeman Hospital during this year.


“We want to introduce stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) programs, which are becoming the standard of care for many cancer treatments,” said Gill Lawrence, Head of Radiotherapy Physics.


“Once the new machines are installed, the SABR program will be available initially for lung cancer patients the SRS program for treating conditions in the brain; subsequent developments include plans for liver and pancreatic cancer treatments.”


SABR offers early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer patients - including those who are inoperable or elderly - a non-invasive treatment option.


The Northern Centre for Cancer Care, which moved to a new purpose-built oncology center in 2008, serves 1.7 million people from across the Northumberland, Tyne-and-Wear and Durham region. The clinic aims to deliver 38 to 42 individual treatments per day on each of its eight linear accelerators.


Newcastle-based charities, including the local Charlie Bear Fund and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation – initiated by the former England and Newcastle soccer team manager – were instrumental in contributing to the purchase of the new machines.


MORE INFO. 563 Sowing the Seeds for Export Growth


A Wearside firm specialising in water storing polymer technology and applications for the environmental protection and horticulture industries has been developing its export growth with the help of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).


In the past three years, with the support of UKTI’s Gateway to Global Growth (G3) initiative and the Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS), Agricultural Polymers International Ltd has


secured a host of new business in overseas markets including Palestine, Indonesia, South Africa and Abu Dhabi for its Broadleaf P4 range of water storing granules and other polymer products. The company has now set its sights on Mauritius and India.


Paul Griffin, Director at Agricultural Polymers International Ltd, explained: “The support we’ve had from UKTI has really helped us to grow the


business in additional overseas markets at a much faster rate than we could have hoped. We’re now looking at commissioning an OMIS report for India to help identify key contacts in both the private sector and local government.”


“Our recent environment award, presented at the Houses of Parliament, as a ‘Green Hero’ company with the international endorsement and recognition that brings should help with the OMIS


and other UKTI action we have ongoing to enable further export growth,” he added.


For more information about the wide range of support services available through UK Trade & Investment to help your company succeed overseas call the North East International Trade Hotline on 0845 05 05 054 or email: enquiries@uktinortheast.org.uk.


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David Pattison, Chief Analyst, said: “There are plenty of companies that need capital and would welcome investment. Distress sales have dominated the market in recent years as strong companies have looked to take over weaker companies and exploit ailing businesses.


But it is now time for a change in strategy. There are 41 firms in the scientific & laboratory equipment industry that buyers should be looking at. These companies are privately owned, have increased in sales over the previous year, are debt free and are showing excellent profits.”


And it is these qualities, Pattison argues, that make


these businesses attractive acquisitions. He added: “Taking over a weak company takes time, is diverting and is a high risk. But these high value acquisitions would immediately add value to your bottom line as well as give you instant power in the market. Indeed, buying one of these companies would give you quick access into a fast growing market and would instantly give you power – essentially forcing many of your already-weakened competitors out of the game.


“Of course some of these high value acquisitions would command a high price premium, but this new analysis tells you why some companies are worth


more than others and enables you to seek out growth. Most successful businesses work with Plimsoll. For over 25 years we have worked with many of the leaders in this sector and recognise the challenges. A few minutes with a Plimsoll report can change perceptions and open minds to much greater profitability,” Pattison added.


The new Plimsoll report ‘Acquisitions’ is available on request.


Readers of International Labmate Labmate UK & Ireland are entitled to a £50 discount of this report by calling 01642 626419 and quoting reference PR/PC40.


MORE INFO. 561 Redd&Whyte Appoints Non-Executive Chairman


Redd&Whyte, the specialist developer of enabling liquid handling technology, has announced a further senior appointment as part of a significant restructuring programme, in order to expand Redd&Whyte’s customer base across Europe and north America. The latest appointment, Peter McCulloch, MBE, has joined Redd&Whyte as non- executive Chairman.


Peter McCulloch was awarded MBE for services to the UK Biomedical Industry in the 1993 New Year Honours. He brings extensive business and product management experience from previous positions in specialist liquid handling and laboratory automation companies over the past 40 years, including Chief Executive positions within Zenyx Scientific Ltd and Diagnostic Innovations Ltd. He has been proprietor of Kaetu Management Services since 1999, which provides


consultancy in medical diagnostics/ biomedical reagents, devices and systems.


“Peter’s vast experience within the industry will add great value to Redd&Whyte and our future vision,” said Roger Poole, MD at Redd&Whyte. “Peter joins us at a crucial time as the company is undergoing significant and exciting structural change.”


Redd&Whyte is a biotech firm dedicated to providing laboratory scientists with innovative instruments. The company’s specialist areas include nano dispensing, high throughput screening and point of care (PoC) testing.


The award-winning Preddator, capable of dispensing a wide range of media, even at low volumes, has been developed to overcome challenges and problems in the lab by scientists, for scientists, the Company said.


Peter McCulloch, MORE INFO. 562 MRC Technology Receives Biomedical Catalyst Funding


MRC Technology, a technology transfer charity and company, announced at the end of last year a £577,000 funding award from the Biomedical Catalyst.


The award has been granted to MRC Technology to fund research into the role of cytokine IL-16 in Ischaemic Reperfusion Injury (IRI), the tissue damage and ensuing inflammatory response resulting from a sudden loss of blood flow, such as may occur during surgery or as a result of a blood clot.


The MRC Technology programme will deliver a


humanised anti-IL-16 antibody along with efficacy, pharmacokinetic and toxicology data in mammalian models, as a prelude to partnering with pharma or biotech and subsequent progression into human clinical trials.


The therapeutic potential of the anti-IL-16 antibody against other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases will also be investigated, using models including Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.


Professor Justin Bryans, Director of Drug Discovery at MRC Technology said: “Following successful proof of concept in a murine model, we are delighted to have received this early-stage award. This will enable us to progress the anti-IL-16 antibody project such that we can work towards delivering a ground breaking new treatment for a very serious condition, which we hope will ultimately help a significant number of patients.”


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Partnership to Provide Software for Jenway Spectrophotometers to automate data management and transfer.


Two Fold Software has joined with Bibby Scientific to provide new Qualoupe Lite software for incorporation into Jenway brand 67 series spectrophotometers.


Qualoupe Lite provides users with an intuitive laboratory information management system (LIMS)


“By creating a true Lite product that is affordable for businesses of all sizes, we make LIMS available to companies aiming to move towards automated laboratory data management,” said Clive Collier, Managing Director of Two Fold Software.


“In the past there have been Lite LIMS products available, but the prices rarely made them accessible. This collaboration with Bibby Scientific means more companies can feel the benefit of an intuitive and effective Qualoupe Lite system without committing to large costs," he added.


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