WEST CHESTER, Pa., June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- VWR International, Inc., a
leading supplier to the global research laboratory industry, today
announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bie &
Berntsen A-S, a Danish scientific laboratory supply distributor. The
closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions,
including the receipt of regulatory approval(s). The transaction is
expected to be completed by July 2, 2007.
Bie & Berntsen is one of Denmark's largest suppliers of chemical and
laboratory equipment with 90 employees, all based in Denmark. The Company
has annual revenues of approximately $27 million US dollars.
Manuel Brocke-Benz, VWR Senior Vice President and Managing Director of
European operations, said, "The combination of VWR International and Bie &
Berntsen is a perfect fit. VWR's expertise in chemicals, consumables and
life science products, combined with Bie & Berntsen's emphasis on
instruments, equipment and technical service, will enhance our product and
service offerings to our customers and provide an even more attractive
platform for our suppliers. We are excited that a company with such a long
tradition in Denmark and with a very strong management team is joining our
organization to provide best in class service to our combined customer
base."
Soren Kirkegaard, Managing Director of Bie & Berntsen, will remain with
the business and join the VWR management team.
Mr. Kirkegaard commented: "We're very pleased to be working with the
VWR management team. Our breadth of product offerings will be a significant
complement to VWR's existing product base. Joining VWR makes us a true one-
stop-supplier, capable of servicing the needs of all our customers better
and more efficiently. We will continue to conduct our business with a
commitment to quality and personal service. This transaction is a
strategically important one for us and will enhance our product offerings
for our customers in Denmark."
About Bie & Berntsen A-S
Founded in 1922 as a family owned and operated business, Denmark-based
Bie & Berntsen is a distributor of laboratory equipment, chemicals and
consumables. Today, Bie & Berntsen offers a wide portfolio of value-added
services in addition to product distribution. The Company's services
include technical training and consultancy services, product servicing,
calibration and repair and custom-made chemical products for the
pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare and environmental segments servicing
both customers in the public and private sectors.
About VWR International, Inc.
VWR International is a leader in the global research laboratory
industry with worldwide sales in excess of $3 billion US dollars. VWR's
business is highly diversified across products and services, geographic
regions and customer segments. The Company offers products from a wide
range of manufacturers, to a large number of customers primarily in North
America, Europe and other locations. VWR's principal customers are major
pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, technology, clinical, food
processing and consumer product companies, universities and research
institutes, governmental agencies, environmental testing organizations, and
primary and secondary schools. VWR distributes a diversified product mix,
including chemicals, glassware and plasticware, equipment and instruments,
furniture, protective apparel, production and safety products, and other
life science and laboratory products and supplies. VWR supports its
customers by providing storeroom management, product procurement, supply
chain systems integration, technical services and laboratory bench top
delivery. VWR maintains operations in over 20 countries and employs over
6,000 people worldwide. VWR International is headquartered in West Chester,
Pennsylvania. VWR-G
For more information on VWR International, phone 1-800-932-5000, visit
http://www.vwr.com, or write, VWR International, Inc., 1310 Goshen Parkway, P.O.
Box 2656, West Chester, PA 19380-0906.
VWR and design are registered trademarks of VWR International, Inc.
SOURCE VWR International, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.vwr.com
CONTACT:
Ted Pulkownik, +1-610-429-2791,
ted_pulkownik@vwr.com
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