A Milton Keynes-based plastic and fibre products supplier has strengthened its operations in the medical sector with an acquisition in the US.
Filtrona paid $35 million (£20 million) in cash for Lendell Manufacturing, a provider of speciality hydrophilic foam products for the medical, printing and cosmetics markets.
The acquisition is part of Filtrona’s strategy of focusing its operations on the higher margin areas of its business.
Lendell complements Filtrona’s bonded fibre components division, as both businesses design and produce products using the same processes. The acquired business will now trade as part of the Porous Technologies brand.
Filtrona chief executive Mark Harper said the deal enhances the company’s capabilities. “We anticipate significant benefits from utilising our existing global manufacturing and commercial footprint to access new markets for Lendell products as well as from selling bonded fibre products to existing Lendell customers.”
Some 55 per cent of Michigan-based Lendell’s business is to the medical sector, primarily wound care components and other foam applications.
