Whatman plc purchased Schleicher & Schuell MicroScience GmbH, Schleicher & Schuell BioScience GmbH and Schleicher & Schuell GmbH for 50.2 million Euro. The acquisition of Schleicher & Schuell's MicroScience and BioScience business will make Whatman the clear number 3 in the global LabSciences sector with a combined 16% market share. Dr. Werner Specht, CEO of Schleicher & Schuell, said employees and customers of both companies will benefit from the proposed merger.

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Schleicher & Schuell has been purchased by Whatman plc
12.11.2004 - As of November 30, 2004 Whatman
will purchase Schleicher & Schuell MicroScience
GmbH, Schleicher & Schuell BioScience GmbH and
Schleicher & Schuell GmbH for 50.2 million Euro
and including an estimated net debt on completion
of Euro 4.4 million.
Hahnemühle FineArt GmbH as well as DIA-Nielsen
MircoTech GmbH, remain outside this transaction
and will continue to work as independent compa-
nies.
Whatman plc, headquartered in London, will be
in a stronger growth position with the acquisition
of Schleicher & Schuell's MicroScience and Bio-
science business centers.
With the addition of around 40 % of sales from
Schleicher & Schuell, the enlarged group will have a
combined share of approximately 16 % of the glob-
al LabSciences sector, making it the clear No. 3 in
the industry and enhancing its competitive position
against the sector leaders, Millipore and Pall Cor-
poration. The remainder of the sector below these
three major groups is more fragmented.
"Whatman has approached us because of our high-
quality products and the company's excellent repu-
tation in the market. We expect that employees and
customers of both companies will benefit from this
proposed merger," said Dr. Werner Specht, Schle-
icher & Schuell's chief executive.
"Schleicher & Schuell's leading position in Germany
gives Whatman a significant presence in Europe's
largest economy", commented Simon May, Vice
Chairman of Whatman plc, when the proposed ac-
quisition was announceed to Schleicher & Schuell's
employees.