Smith & Nephew (FTSE:SN, NYSE:SNN) agreed to sell a U.K. plant that makes wound management products to SWM’s (NYSE:SWM) DelStar Medical subsidiary for an undisclosed amount.
The plant in Gilberdyke, England, makes polyurethane films for Smith & Nephew and nets and foams used in wound dressings by other manufacturers. Smith & Nephew plans to relocate the polyurethane film operation to an existing plant in Hull, while the net and foam manufacturing will be absorbed into DelStar.
"Our predominant need for the site was for our internal supplies and we couldn’t really invest, or weren’t willing to invest, in a 3rd-party bulk net business. What we realized over many years of reviewing our manufacturing strategy was the non-core business would be better-served by being purchased by another company," senior vice president of global operations Noel Waters told the Hull Daily Mail. "We will bring the polyurethane assets and the people who work with those to the Hull site."
Smith & Nephew employs 91 workers at the site, according to the newspaper.
"We acquired DelStar last year as the cornerstone of a new strategic growth platform. Gilberdyke represents a highly complementary asset to DelStar’s existing medical business, which is largely focused on the finger bandage category. The manufacturing capabilities and customer relationships we will acquire through this transaction will elevate our presence and product depth in the attractive healthcare industry, and accelerate growth of SWM’s filtration segment," SWM chairman & CEO Frédéric Villoutreix said in prepared remarks.