Thermo Adds to Lab Chemicals Business
Alfa Aesar revenue declined 2.5%, down 1% in constant currency, in fiscal 2015 to make up 24% of Johnson Matthey’ Fine Chemicals revenue and 1% of total company revenues. The acquisition comes as Thermo’s lab chemicals business faces greater competition due to Merck KGaA’s pending acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich (see IBO 6/15/15).
Waltham, MA 6/25/15; London, UK 6/25/15-—Thermo Fisher Scientific has agreed to acquire Alfa Aesar, the Research Chemicals business of Johnson Matthey, for £256 million ($400 million = £0.64 = $1) in cash. In fiscal 2015 ending March 31, the business had sales, excluding the value of precious metals, of £77 million ($124 million = £0.62 = $1). Alfa Aesar provides more than 45,000 specialty chemicals. “The acquisition of Alfa Aesar enhances our existing portfolio of chemicals, solvents and reagents to support virtually every laboratory application—from research, to drug discovery and development, to production,” commented Thermo President and CEO Marc N. Casper. Alfa Aesar will join Thermo’s Laboratory Products and Services segment. Alfa Aesar has 480 employees and eight core sites. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the year.
