Operio makes manufacturing acquisition with European expansion aim

11-Apr-2023 - Last updated on 11-Apr-2023 at 14:14 GMT

Operio has acquired a group of companies that provide both manufacturing equipment and services in the solid dose space.

The deal sees Operio Group acquire Compression Components and Services (CCS), which is made up of several subsidiaries that provide different services. CCS owns Stokes, a provider of tablet presses that has been in operation since 1895, and also Index, a provider of high speed, tamping-style, capsule filling equipment.

According to Operio, the acquisition was made as part of its efforts to expand its presence in the solid dose manufacturing industry, as well as allowing it to enter the UK, European, and Asian markets.

CCS states that it has more than 300 active customers and supports 1,500 machines. The company counts Pfizer, GSK, and Catalent among its clients.

By acquiring CCS, the group will expand its current capabilities in providing solid dose manufacturing, where it already possesses expertise through its subsidiary. LFA Machines focuses on small tablet presses, though this business focuses on vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts.

“I am looking forward to being able to quickly establish physical locations for Stokes Tablet Presses and Index Encapsulation Machines in the UK, Europe and Asia using our existing team and infrastructure. I am sure that in doing so we can help build CCS to be the market leader globally that it is in the US,” said Alastair Sanderson, CEO of Operio.

The financials behind the acquisition were not revealed.

CCS president, Fran Mallee, outlined that Operio plans to help the company ‘get to the next level’, by advancing its product portfolio, and to grow its market share.

Operio itself was only launched in 2022, with the aim of providing manufacturing equipment to the pharma, nutraceutical, food and beverage industries.

The company was formed through the merger of LFA Machines and Vivion. The latter company is an ingredients supplier for various industries, including the pharmaceutical industry.

In February 2023, LFA Machines announced that it would be able to offer new tablet formulation testing services. The capabilities include the ability to provide individual ingredient tests, post-mixing tests, tablet formulation tests, tablet quality testing, and proof of concept testing.

LFA Machines stated that these services would allow clients to address and mitigate common tableting issues, such as binding problems, poor flow characteristics, capping in tablets, caking powder, and other associated challenges.