3 December 2021
A.P. Moller Holding to acquire Unilabs, a leading European provider of diagnostic services
Unilabs is a leading European provider of medical diagnostic services
A.P. Møller Holding A/S (A.P. Moller Holding), the parent company of the A.P. Moller Group, has signed an agreement to acquire Unilabs from funds advised by Apax. Unilabs combines laboratory, pathology and imaging expertise for patients and caregivers.
Unilabs employs 12,600 people, operates more than to 200 laboratories and 180 imaging centres in 15 countries. Unilabs had revenues of EUR 2.0bn and an EBITDA of EUR 600m in the 12 months ending September 2021.
“A few years ago, A.P. Moller Holding initiated a renewal of the A.P. Moller Group by expanding into new activities underpinned by the next decades’ evolving macro themes and our purpose to develop businesses that provide solutions to societal challenges. Over the last decades, healthcare systems have become increasingly stretched for resources. Early, correct and efficient diagnostics services not only save lives and reduce human suffering, but also enable more effective and targeted treatments. As a result, diagnostics is a critical foundation for the important transition from volume-based to value-based care, to reduce the amount of medical resources applied and to provide better patient outcomes.”
Unilabs’ extensive network of clinical labs, blood collection centres and imaging centres across Europe and selected emerging markets conducts 210m laboratory tests and 4m imaging examinations annually.
“Unilabs offers a good fit with our Group’s purpose and understanding for how to run local operations requiring a high degree of automation and local logistics across different geographies. We are deeply impressed with Unilabs’ expertise within testing, pathology, and radiology. We see the opportunity to grow the company’s operations to new markets, offering important and immediate solutions to countries having limited access to critical healthcare solutions, such as teleradiology services. ”
Unilabs’ activities include specialty and routine laboratory testing, which holds a high degree of automation and a local logistics offering. Other significant activities include pathology and radiology services, where Unilabs benefits from an extensive network of imaging centres, a unique digital platform, and large networks of pathologists and radiologists.
“We strongly believe that Unilabs offers an important solution to society’s healthcare challenges, far beyond today’s pandemic. Dedicated specialist knowledge, industrial scale, and process excellence are critical success factors to becoming a trusted partner to healthcare providers. A.P. Moller Holding will continue the investments in these critical core capabilities, while also accelerating Unilabs’ expansion of its digital platform and geographical footprint.”
“Over the past years we have built a strong Care Big culture at Unilabs where people really feel the pride and joy of making the difference. This is the “secret sauce” behind our strong financial performance, which has propelled us to the very top of the medical diagnostics market. We are delighted to become part of the A.P. Moller Group, which has a stellar global reputation, a great culture, and the long-term outlook that comes naturally to a family-run business – we have found a perfect match for our company.”
The parties have agreed not to disclose transaction details. The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities.
For further information please contact Mika Bildsøe Lassen, Head of Branding and Corporate Communications, mika.lassen@apmoller.com or +45 2055 2655
What is medical diagnostic services?
About Unilabs
Unilabs is one of Europe’s largest diagnostics companies with significant activity in the Middle East and Latin America. It is the only pan-European diagnostics group delivering digitally-enabled laboratory, pathology, and imaging services to patients and healthcare providers. As a leading digital champion covering the full diagnostic spectrum, Unilabs’ 12,000+ employees save and improve lives every day. Unilabs is fully engaged in the fight against Covid-19 – investing heavily in technology, equipment, and people to deliver fast, reliable Covid-19 tests across over 15 countries.
News from the A.P. Moller Group
Concentric joins the A.P. Moller Group
We are happy to announce that our offer to acquire Concentric AB, one of the world’s leading pump manufacturers, has been closed.
Transaction to combine Maersk Supply Service and DOF Group closed
With the completion of the agreement, A.P. Moller Holding indirectly holds 25% of the share capital in the combined company.
A.P. Moller Holding launches Vioneo to pioneer fossil-free plastics production
A.P. Moller Holding has launched Vioneo, a new venture dedicated to transforming plastics production. Vioneo will manufacture fossil-free plastic resins and significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with plastics production.