Gerresheimer Group Acquires European Market Leader for Medical Plastic Systems

Gerresheimer Group Acquires European Market Leader for Medical Plastic Systems

January 03, 2007

     -- With the Wilden Group Gerresheimer is Also Market
Leader for Plastic 
        Systems
     -- Gerresheimer CEO Dr. Axel Herberg: 'A giant step in
our growth 
        strategy'

    DUSSELDORF, Germany, Jan. 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- A
key chapter is added to the growth story of the
Gerresheimer Group. In the German company Wilden AG,
Gerresheimer acquires the European market leader for
pharmaceutical drug-delivery systems based on plastic. 
"This marks a giant step in our strategy to generate
sustained growth through the acquisition of technology and
market leaders in the field of pharma packaging and
systems.  Through the purchase which brings around EUR240m
of additional annual sales, Gerresheimer grows into a new
order of magnitude," says Gerresheimer CEO Dr. Axel
Herberg. 

    In Wilden, Gerresheimer acquires the market and
technology leader for innovative plastic systems.  The
business comprises the divisions of "Medical Plastic
Systems" (pharmaceutics, diagnostics, medical
technology and consumer healthcare) and "Technical
Plastic Systems".  The product segment of Medical
Plastic Systems accounts for two thirds of the total sales
of EUR240m.  The Technical Plastic Systems Division
manufactures sophisticated injection-moulded products
mainly for the automobile industry. 

    The company has eight production plants and four joint
ventures with a total of more than 2,300 employees.  The
main focus of marketing is on Europe; in addition, Wilden
is active in the USA, Mexico, China and the United Arab
Emirates. 
    
    "Through the takeover of Wilden we have acquired
the market, quality and technology leader in all its
product segments, which are characterised by highly dynamic
growth," Herberg comments on the acquisition, adding
with regard to the Gerresheimer Group: "This is a
quantum leap for us.  Our pharma business in plastic
thereby grows into a new order of magnitude which gives us
a completely new positioning towards our customers." 
Hans Wilden, who has run the family business together with
his brother Bert, comments: "In Gerresheimer we have
found a globally active and highly competitive partner with
which the company will develop outstandingly well." 

    For pharma products such as inhalation systems, Wilden
has for many years been an important and recognised
development partner for the worldwide pharmaceutics
industry.  In addition, the company has a particularly good
performance record in the field of products for diabetes
diagnosis.  It has a longstanding customer base among
globally active pharma and healthcare groups.  Thanks to
its advanced technical expertise Wilden enjoys an excellent
reputation among its customers for quality, innovation and
reliability and is one of the leading full-service
providers from product development through to tool
manufacture and series production. 

    Following the acquisition of Wilden, the Gerresheimer
Group will in future comprise the four divisions of Tubular
Glass, Moulded Glass, Life Science Research und Plastic
Systems.  The Group's sales volume will grow to more than
EUR900m. "Whether in North America, Europe or Asia we
will in future have leading market positions in all the
business sectors in which we are represented," Herberg
stresses.  "High technical entry barriers will in
future secure this competitive position," he adds. 

    For around a year now the Gerresheimer Group has been
making its presence felt through targeted acquisitions.  In
the USA, Europe and China, a series of market-leader
companies have been acquired in order to expand the
Gerresheimer product portfolio and establish a wider
international base.  Three quarters of sales are today
already achieved with pharma/life-science customers. 

    As a result of the purchase of Wilden AG the
Gerresheimer Group will in future have more than 31
production plants in America, Europe and Asia with a
worldwide total of 8,500 employees. 

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    Gerresheimer ranks among the leading international
manufacturers of packaging based on glass and plastic,
particularly for the segments of pharmaceutics and
cosmetics.  The Group has 31 production plants in Europe,
America and Asia and employs 8,500 people.  Further
information under http://www.gerresheimer.com .  

    For more information, please contact:

     Burkhard Lingenberg, Director Corporate PR &
Marketing
     Gerresheimer Group GmbH
     Benrather Strasse 18 - 20
     40213 Dusseldorf
     Germany
     Tel:      [phone]
     Fax:      [phone]
     Email:    [e-mail]
     Web site: http://www.gerresheimer.com


SOURCE  Gerresheimer Group