DCC adds UK medical supplier to Vital healthcare in €55m deal

DCC, the Dublin-based, London-listed conglomerate, has bought Williams Medical, a Welsh supplier of products to doctors' practices, in a deal valued at £43 million (€55 million).

The business, which employs about 165 people at a factory in Rhymney, SouthWales, will become part of DCC’s Vital healthcare division.

DCC said Williams’ operating model is similar to the businesses located within DCC Technology, because William is “based on telesales, e-commerce, product catalogues and key account management, supported by high quality IT systems and cost effective logistics”.

The business supplies about 10,000 general practitioners in Britain with products such as pharamceuticals, uniforms and disposable gloves. It recorded operating profits of about £6 million in 2013, according to its latest filed set of accounts.

"The acquisition of Williams Medical represents an excellent strategic fit and another material step forward for DCC Healthcare following the acquisitions of Kent Pharma, Leonhard Lang UK and UPL over the last 15 months," said Tommy Breen, DCC's chief executive.

Goodbody stockbrokers said the deal could add up to 3 per cent to DCC’s earnings.