A SHIPLEY-based leading supplier of orthodontic products in the UK has been acquired by a Swedish investment group.
Founded in 1982 by Kelvin Scott and Richard Garford, Ortho-Care has grown over its 41-year history, becoming a trusted supplier to healthcare professionals in the UK and worldwide.
The company has been acquired by Lifco, a Sweden-based investment company, which has more than 200 companies in over 30 countries across its core business areas of dental, demolition and tools, and systems solutions.
The acquisition bolsters Lifco’s strong presence in the dental supply chain and adds to its current portfolio of manufacturers and suppliers of consumables, equipment, and technical services to dentists in Europe and the US.
Kelvin Scott, co-founder of Ortho-Care, said: “After deciding the time was right to sell our business, we contacted Translink Corporate Finance to act on our behalf to find the right buyer for Ortho-Care.
“Having spoken to a number of interested parties from across the world we are delighted to have been able to conclude a deal with Lifco. They are the perfect fit for us given our alignment on business ethos and strong focus on delivering exceptional levels of customer service.”
Lorna Mendelsöhn, UK acquisition director at Lifco, added: “We are delighted to have Ortho-Care join the Lifco dental division. We very much look forward to working with the team to continue its development and strengthen our position in the UK market.”
Ortho-Care is based at Riverside Estate in Saltaire with the firm moving to the new purpose-built headquarters in 2012.
They have more than 40 staff dedicated to customer service and a range of consumable orthodontic products.
As well as manufacturing and sourcing products abroad, sold under the Ortho-Care brand, they also distribute for overseas companies including Essix Dentsply, Hu Friedy, Task, HDC Spider Screw Implants, TotalGard, and Infalab.
The Ortho-Care shareholders were advised by a cross-border Translink Corporate Finance team.
Matt Scott, partner at Translink, said: “Ortho-Care is a market leading, highly cash generative asset within the UK Orthodontics sector which complements Lifco’s core dental business and wider investment strategy.
“A key objective of the co-founders was to find a partner who would preserve the company’s culture and values, Lifco’s decentralised approach meets this aspiration. I’m sure it will prove to be an excellent home for the Ortho-Care business.”
