Watson-Marlow, a peristaltic pump manufacturer, has acquired Danish manufacturer of peristaltic aseptic filling systems, Flexicon , through its parent company Spirax-Sarco Engineering
The deal will enable Watson-Marlow to enhance its product offering and to strengthen its already dominant 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, Kent.
Flexicon has been marketing aseptic filling and capping systems, featuring peristaltic pumps, to pharmaceutical and biotech companies for the past 22 years.
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, be it a vial, bottle, test tube or non-self-standing micro-tube.
Watson-Marlow is the world's largest manufacturer of peristaltic tube pumps for biotech, pharmaceutical and process applications with the widest range of pumps, pumpheads and tubing available for end-users and OEMs.
Watson-Marlow pumps improve productivity, eliminate downtime and minimise maintenance.
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.
Mike Sullivan, marketing manager Watson-Marlow comments: "Flexicon has a product portfolio that complements and bolsters our existing range of peristaltic pumps.
"It 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."
