Telstar Acquires Usifroid And Takes A Major Step Into The French Market

• USIFROID is internationally recognized as a supplier of equipment and services to the life sciences industry
• TELSTAR is one of the major manufacturers of equipment for the life sciences industry and is currently one of the few companies globally that can provide integrated process solutions for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

The Telstar Group has acquired French company USIFROID, which is internationally recognized for the development and supply of GMP lyophilizers for the pharmaceutical market. Telstar is an international group based in Spain that undertakes projects, provides services and develops high technology equipment for the life sciences market, specifically in the areas of biotechnology, nanotechnology, traditional pharmaceutical technology and medicine.

Through this acquisition, TELSTAR reinforces its position in the international life sciences market and consolidates its position in Europe with a French market share of 80% in freeze drying equipment solutions for the pharmaceutical industry.

Usifroid is internationally renouned for the development of GMP freeze-dryers for pharmaceutical applications and is recognized for achievements in the field of innovation, most notably for pioneering the use of liquid nitrogen (LN2) refrigeration technology in freeze drying.

TELSTAR is supplementing its present capabilities and capacity with USIFROID know-how, technology and expertise. Telstar is one of the few companies globally that can supply Integrated Process Solutions for the Pharmaceutical Industry by using in-house technology in the fields of clean-air, sterilization and water treatment, containment, freeze-drying equipment and loading & unloading solutions.

Usifroid brand

Within the Telstar Group, the USIFROID brand and the USIFROID product range will be retained in all markets. Through this acquisition, Telstar provides financial strength to USIFROID and guarantees the continuity of Usifroid's activities in the international market. USIFROID will continue to provide to French and international markets new equipment under the Usifroid brand, with specifications and features help characterize and define Usifroid

Jordi Puig, Corporate Business Director of Telstar Life Sciences explained: "the incorporation of Usifroid into the Telstar Group equates not only to expansion of our activities internationally, but also adds new know-how and expertise in the freeze drying field and helps consolidate our position in the European market by having an operations and services in France".

"Joining the TELSTAR group brings to USIFROID not only the support it has always needed to develop its activities but also the understanding and experience of a group which knows the requirements of excellence needed by an equipment business dedicated to the life sciences market", said Benoit d'Armancourt, General Manager of USIFROID.

The Telstar Group

TELSTAR provides solutions, undertakes projects and develops equipment and high technology services for the life sciences market in the fields of biotechnology, nanotechnology, traditional chemical synthesis technology and medicine. The pharmaceutical industry, research and development laboratories and hospitals are TELSTAR clients. TELSTAR is one of the 10 major manufacturers of equipment for the pharmaceutical industry and is currently one of the few companies globally that can provide integrated process solutions for the pharmaceutical industry.

TELSTAR is also one of the top 5 international manufacturers of biological safety cabinets, with a 15% global market share, 80% market share in BENELUX (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) and 70% market share in Spain. TELSTAR is also one of the 3 leading manufacturers of laboratory freeze dryers.

Founded in 1963, Telstar has diversified its professional activities, experiencing rapid growth and tripling its turnover over the past eight years to reach 110 million Euros in 2009. Telstar operates in more than one hundred countries and has production plants in Spain, China, United States, United Kingdom, Holland, Germany and now France. As a global company, Telstar has a strong presence in the international market, with 80% of its current turnover generated outside of Spain. Based in Terrassa (Barcelona), Telstar has a 750-strong team of professionals.

SOURCE: Telstar