Watson-Marlow acquires Flexicon

Watson-Marlow, the world's leading peristaltic pump manufacturer, has acquired Danish manufacturer of peristaltic aseptic filling systems, Flexicon, through its parent company Spirax-Sarco Engineering.

The deal, worth DKK141m/Euro 18.9m deal will enable Watson-Marlow to enhance its product offering and to strengthen its presence in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors worldwide. Although Watson-Marlow is headquartered in the UK, Flexicon's UK customers will continue to deal direct with its existing UK distributor, Pak Machinery, of Maidstone.

Flexicon markets aseptic filling and capping systems, featuring peristaltic pumps, to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The company's product 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, including vials, bottles, test tubes or non-self-standing micro-tubes.

Watson-Marlow is a major global manufacturer of peristaltic tube pumps for biotech, pharmaceutical and process applications with a wide range of pumps, pumpheads and tubing for end-users and OEMs. As the pumped fluid does not come into contact with the pump itself - only with the tube - Watson-Marlow pumps are particularly adapted to pharmaceutical and biotechnology processes, where sterility and a high degree of precision are paramount.

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

The deal also includes full ownership of Flexicon's distribution company for the US, Flexicon America Inc.