Watson-Marlow acquires Flexicon A/S for GBP14m

Falmouth, UK - Peristaltic pump manufacturer Watson-Marlow, part of Spirax-Sarco Engineering, has acquired Flexicon A/S - a Danish manufacturer of peristaltic aseptic filling systems. The acquisition for DKK141m (around £14.3 million) will enable Watson-Marlow to enhance its product offering and to strengthen its position in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors worldwide. 

Flexicon’s UK customers will continue to deal direct with its existing UK distributor, Pak Machinery of Maidstone, Kent, according to a 22 Feb Watson-Marlow announcement. The deal, which was formally completed on 11 Feb, also includes full ownership of Flexicon’s distribution company for the US, Flexicon America Inc.

Flexicon will continue to specialise in peristaltic filling systems primarily for the pharmaceutical, bio-tech and diagnostic industry, said the Danish company, adding: "At our facility in Denmark we will continue to manufacture and develop sterile liquid filling and capping equipment for these industries ...The communication and trade between our valued customers and Flexicon distributors and product specialists is not influenced by the change of ownership."

Flexicon has been marketing aseptic filling and capping systems, featuring peristaltic pumps, to pharmaceutical and biotech companies for the past 22 years. Its portfolio ranges from stand-alone units for hand filling, semi-automatic systems, to fully automatic filling, stoppering and capping machines. The fully automatic systems are customised to fit any container, be it a vial, bottle, test tube or non-self-standing micro-tube.

"Flexicon has a product portfolio that complements and bolsters our existing range of peristaltic pumps," said Mike Sullivan, marketing manager Watson-Marlow. "They will add complete aseptic filling and capping systems, from laboratory benchtop to clinical trial scale, to the Watson-Marlow range which includes dispensers. The acquisition will boost our competitive edge in pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors and will enable us to increase our market share.”

Watson-Marlow claims to be the world's largest manufacturer of peristaltic tube pumps for biotech, pharmaceutical and process applications; offering a wide range of pumps, pumpheads and tubing to end-users and OEMs. As the pumped fluid does not come into contact with the pump itself -only with the tube -peristaltic pumps are particularly suitable for pharmaceutical and biotechnology processes, where sterility and a high degree of precision are critical.