Wed, 11/30/2016 - 00:00

WILMINGTON, Mass. (Nov. 30, 2016) – Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG), a leader in niche peristaltic pumps and associated fluid path technologies, has acquired Aflex Hose Limited and its subsidiary Aflex Hose USA LLC (Aflex) through its parent company Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc for £61.4 million. Aflex, based in Halifax, England, and with a sales/assembly operation in Pennsylvania, specializes in the design and manufacture of PTFE-lined flexible hose for the pharmaceutical, food and chemical process industries. Aflex is highly synergistic with, and a natural extension to, the WMFTG fluid path product portfolio and further strengthens WMFTG's already strong global presence in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, industrial/chemical, and food and beverage sectors. Aflex uses patented technology to produce PTFE-lined flexible hose, ensuring the highest levels of chemical resistance, superior flexibility and sterility. Aflex joins a fluid path product range comprising Watson-Marlow Pumps, Watson-Marlow Tubing, Flexicon Filling Systems, BioPure single-use tubing connector systems, Asepco aseptic valves, FlowSmart seals and gaskets, Alitea OEM Pumps, MasoSine Process Pumps, and Bredel Hose Pumps. "The strategic acquisition of Aflex further broadens our fluid path product range and strengthens Watson-Marlow's position across all our major market sectors," said Jay Whalen, president of the Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group. "For example, in the Biopharmaceutical sector, we now have a complete and comprehensive product range to enable customers to source the world’s leading, most technically advanced products from a single trusted partner. Our range covers all aspects of technology required for fluid transfer from source to delivery point. This is another exciting milestone for Watson-Marlow, and we are looking forward to accelerating our growth with our broadened product portfolio coupled to our process expertise.” Founder, Rod Anderson, will continue in a technical adviser capacity, and all senior management will remain. “I am very excited to be part of the Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group and look to drive sales further with the expansive WMFTG sales network,” said Jeremy Hudson, managing director at Aflex.