Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group, a UK supplier of peristaltic pumps and fluid path technologies for the pharmaceutical, food, chemical and environmental industries, announced last week that it has acquired Flow Smart, Inc. for £5.7 million ($8.5 million).
Delaware-based Flow Smart specializes in the design and manufacture of high purity sanitary gaskets, silicone transfer tubing and reinforced silicone hoses for the bioprocessing and pharmaceutical industries. The company offers an extensive range of fabric, braided and wire reinforced platinum silicone hoses and high performance sanitary gasket products.
Watson-Marlow spokeswoman Joanne Lucas told BioPharma-Reporter.com: “The addition of [Flow Smart’s] range of technology to our portfolio means we are able to provide an even greater range of fluid path solutions.”
The business will become part of a new company, Watson-Marlow Flow Smart, Inc., and will continue to be led by Lou Bongiorno, president of Flow Smart.
All 40 existing Flow Smart employees are joining Watson-Marlow Flow Smart, which will remain based in Delaware, Lucas said.
Welcoming the deal, Jay Whalen, president of Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group, said: “The acquisition of Flow Smart significantly expands and enhances our fluid path product range, and further strengthens Watson-Marlow’s position in the sanitary markets we serve.”
Flow Smart’s Bongiorno added: “Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group have a great reputation within the biopharmaceutical market, so we are very excited about being able to tie into that network to enable greater exposure of our products to a wider audience and drive the organic sales growth.”
