Ascendis acquires majority share of Scientific Group

The R283.7 million structured cash and shares deal includes a minority medical business within the Scientific Group, which will be sold back to the selling shareholders.

SG Diagnostics is a successful business with a solid 31-year track record holding the South African (regional) agencies for a number of international manufacturers. The company comprises top-line management and a skilled sales and technical team, with warehouses in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Bloemfontein, 24/7 specialised technical support and dedicated training facilities. The business is mostly split between government and private contracts, as well as order-to-order (ad-hoc) business. It represents 32 leading international diagnostic brands in Southern Africa and its main customers include the National Health Laboratory Services, the three largest private pathology service providers in South Africa and major African customers, including the Botswana and Zambian Ministries of Health.

SG Diagnostics has generated significant growth in revenue as demonstrated by a CAGR of 14% over the preceding four years, with strong revenue growth expected in FY'15. It is also vying for a large national contract, with significant revenue opportunities spread over a five year term.

Adding to group's growth

The medical devices businesses within the Pharma-Med Division of Ascendis Health have been important drivers of growth, via the established platform of surgical innovations and the recently acquired Respiratory Care Africa business (Ascendis Medical). Collectively, these businesses have positioned Ascendis Medical as a leading provider of specialised, high-end medical products and turnkey solutions to private and public hospitals and clinics, as well as medical professionals in the Southern African primary health care markets.

Ascendis CEO, Dr Karsten Wellner commented, "We are excited to announce our latest acquisition, as South African and global health care swiftly embraces the benefits of new diagnostic and preventative technology. SG Diagnostics offers us an immediate and resilient presence into this highly specialised market. It is also a well-managed, high growth and strongly cash generative business.

"It is an ideal bolt-on acquisition for us, as it contributes immediate bottom-line benefit while simultaneously allowing us to entrench our specialist product ranges and deliver organic growth benefits through integration synergies. We are also in a position to offer turnkey solutions to private and government hospitals which is a vital growth component, taking into consideration the national government's plans to build 43 new hospitals and at least 213 clinics over the next five years."

"This acquisition represents an active and growing market within the local and international holistic health care industry. Exports account for 40% of SG Diagnostics' sales with particularly strong sales growth experienced in both Botswana and Zambia, providing us with new channels through which we can accelerate our African expansion and export strategy.

"This is a comprehensive value added deal for Ascendis, as SG Diagnostics would have contributed a further R32.8 million profit after tax towards Ascendis' earnings on a historic annualised basis, resulting in a pro-forma 12% increase in our published June 2014 annual earnings per share. This acquisition will contribute significantly in positioning our medical devices platform as a renowned provider of leading brands and services," concludes Dr Wellner.

For more information, go to www.ascendis.co.za.