Beaphar acquires Sinclair

   In a move that firmly establishes the company as the leading supplier of pet healthcare products in Europe, Beaphar BV, Dutch parent company of Beaphar UK Ltd and the Sherley's and Xtra Vital brands, has acquired Sinclair Animal & Household Care Ltd, home of King British and CANAC, for an undisclosed sum.

The marriage combines the expertise of Beaphar in anti-parasitics, care products and feedstuffs with Sinclair's knowledge of aquatics, accessories and cat and dog Flea control products (Ectoparasiticides).

"This acquisition is good news for Beaphar, Sinclair and the pet trade," enthused Henk Aa, CEO of the Beaphar Group. "Internationally, Beaphar gains a complete range of premium quality aquatic products, together with a UK GMP-approved manufacturing base. Sinclair joins the biggest over-the-counter pet healthcare business in Europe, significantly increasing the distribution of its extensive product portfolio. The pet trade can depend upon the continued support of businesses dedicated to the specialist sector, whose over-riding objectives are quality and service."

Beaphar and Sinclair are equally enthusiastic about the merger. "Beaphar and Sinclair are a great match," explained Michael Sinclair. "Both are professionally run, privately owned businesses, and there are many synergies between them. I am extremely happy that the Sinclair Animal & Household Care business has an exciting future with Beaphar."

Beaphar UK and Sinclair will continue to operate as separate businesses in the UK, and foresee "business as usual" from their customers' perspective.

PETS International was present at the official announcement to the staff of Sinclair and Beaphar UK on Thursday June 7 in Gainsborough (UK), specially invited as the only pet industry publication.

Beaphar UK Ltd, formerly Sherley's, is situated in Haverhill, Suffolk, and has been part of the Beaphar Group since 1994. Sinclair A&HC Ltd was established in 1991and was the subject of a management buy out in 2002. For further information on either company, please refer to the respective websites: www.beaphar.com and www.sinclair-sahc.com, or telephone 01440 715700.