Swiss Hamo joins Steris

Steris Corporation has acquired Swiss company Hamo Holding, of Pieterlen, through a subsidiary for an undisclosed amount.

Hamo provides washing/decontamination systems used in the healthcare, pharmaceutical and research industries. Steris says the acquisition gives it a stronger European presence and the capability to offer a wider range of sterile processing solutions. It also provides an established distribution channel to expand the marketing of the full line of Steris sterilisation and washing/decontamination products in Europe and Asia. Hamo's production capacity in Europe complements Steris's recent addition of manufacturing capacity in Quebec, Canada, and the company says it will help it meet the growth in global demand for washing/decontamination systems. Steris says this demand is being driven by an ageing population and the resulting increase in surgical procedures, as well as demand for prescription drugs, which will lead to higher levels of investment in new surgical facilities and pharmaceutical production capacity. "This acquisition extends and enhances Steris's capability to provide our customers with a broad range of equipment, consumables and services to meet all their sterile processing and decontamination needs,"said Les Vinney, Steris's president and ceo. "The addition of Hamo accelerates our international expansion efforts and provides Steris with a more significant presence in several key markets, an important part of our growth strategy." Hamo had a turnover in 2002 of Sfr59m (€39.15m) and employs more than 200 people.