Daring competitor enters European contamination control market with major acquisitions

Published: 30-Mar-2023

The Riverside Company has made the bold leap into the contamination control industry in Europe with the acquisitions of Germany-based Dastex and Sweden-based Vita Verita. The company's aim is to establish the leading European contamination control group for cleanrooms

The Riverside Company, a global private investor, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Dastex Reinraumzubehör, a leading specialised independently owned cleanroom garment & consumables distributor in Europe. In parallel, Riverside signed a definitive agreement to acquire Vita Verita, a leading cleanroom consumables player in the Swedish market, as a first add-on to the platform.

Dastex and Vita Verita serve the resilient and growing cleanroom industry, helping customers in pharmaceutical, life sciences and other high-tech industries to meet ever-stricter quality and regulatory standards.

"By acquiring Dastex and Vita Verita, we combine two cleanroom consumables specialists in Europe, providing mission-critical products and services and forming the nucleus to our pan-European buy-and-build strategy"

- Damien Gaudin, Partner at Riverside Europe 

Closing of the deals is subject to customary approvals by the competent regulatory authorities.

The perfect match

Founded in 1979 in Germany, Dastex has grown to become a market-leading provider of both third-party brand and proprietary garments and consumables for cleanrooms in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with a strong foothold in the Benelux and a growing pan-European presence. The company has grown rapidly in recent years, driven by its unique technical know-how and R&D capabilities, comprehensive product assortment and excellent customer service, meeting strong demand from the pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries.

Vita Verita was founded in Sweden in 1983 and is a specialist in cleanroom consumables and laboratory equipment, air quality testing, service and maintenance for pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and other controlled environments. The company offers both own-brand and third-party products including disposable garments, gloves and wipes, as well as qualified verification and validation services. Vita Verita has experienced nearly two decades of continuous growth, supported by its long-lasting customer relationships and consistent focus on quality.

"I truly believe the addition of Vita Verita's commercial platform and value-add service offering in Sweden is a critical step in our journey to become one of Europe's preeminent providers of contamination control products and services"

- Carsten Moschner, CEO of Dastex

Damien Gaudin, Partner at Riverside Europe who led the deals, explained: "By acquiring Dastex and Vita Verita, we combine two cleanroom consumables specialists in Europe, providing mission-critical products and services and forming the nucleus to our pan-European buy-and-build strategy. This creates a unique platform perfectly positioned to continue growing organically and via acquisitions."

Gaudin went on to explain that Riverside is excited to team up with the strong management teams at Dastex and Vita Verita with the aim to build the European leader in contamination control for cleanrooms, offering best-in-class products as well as value-add technical and regulatory services supported by an ambitious ESG strategy.

A major new European contamination control group

Karsten Langer, Managing Partner of Riverside Europe, added: "The investments highlight Riverside Europe's expertise at the crossroads of two of our focus sectors: healthcare and speciality distribution. It is also a clear illustration of our pan-European reach and ability to execute on primary opportunities to build leading businesses.

"The acquisition of Dastex and Vita Verita will create a leader in contamination control to the benefit of its customers, facilitating further growth of the sector in Europe," Langer added.

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CEO of Dastex, Carsten Moschner, said: "I truly believe Riverside is the ideal partner to support our ambitious growth plans and that the addition of Vita Verita's commercial platform and value-add service offering in Sweden is a critical step in our journey to become one of Europe's preeminent providers of contamination control products and services."

Anders Kumbrant, CEO, and Magnus Kumbrant, COO of Vita Verita, added: "We are particularly thrilled by the prospect of teaming up with Dastex, one of Europe's leading players well known for their outstanding expertise and professionalism."

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