October 29, 2007

Merial buys New Zealand Animal health company
 

Merial Limited, one of the world's largest animal health companies, has announced its acquisition of New Zealand animal health products company Ancare.

The acquisition includes all of Ancare's commercial and manufacturing operations and assets in New Zealand and in offshore markets including Australia. Financial details were not disclosed.

Managing Director for Merial Oceania, Steve Rochester, said Ancare is a strong brand in New Zealand and would utilise the best of both companies.

With Ancare portfolio of production animal parasiticides, Merial will be able to offer a full range of products across many categories of animal health products for livestock, he said.

Colin Harvey, owner and president of Ancare, called the acquisition a major success story for a New Zealand business, especially since products developed and manufactured in New Zealand would be able to gain entry into major world markets.

The research and development arm of Ancare has been split from the commercial operations and will operate as a separate entity called Ancare Scientific which will be owned and managed by Harvey.

Ancare Scientific, in collaboration with Merial, will develop products for Merial to be marketed globally.

Harvey said the collective effort allows the industry to concentrate the attack on parasites and parasite resistance which will be of great benefit to farmers.