Metall Zug and Miele from Gütersloh in Germany have announced their intention to found a joint venture. According to a press release, Metall Zug will contribute its Infection Control (Belimed AG) and Belimed Life Science business areas, while Miele will be represented through its Italian subsidiary the Steelco Group. One of the future company divisions will offer products and systems for the cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of medical and surgical instruments in hospitals, with the other set to provide similar services for labs operated by life sciences and pharmaceutical companies. The aim here is to take different customer needs into account. The future headquarters of the joint venture, initially set to run for a period of ten years, will be located in Zug.
Taking into consideration the addition of Steelco to the German manufacturer of premium household appliances in 2017, the partners will have created one of the leading global players in the field of medical technology, according to Miele. Steelco, which is based in the municipality of Riese Pio X in the province of Treviso in northeast Italy, is, according to information from the company itself, one of the leading manufacturers of cleaning and sterilization systems for healthcare and lab settings in the world today.
Belimed Life Science, presently based in Sulgen in the canton of Thurgau, specializes in mechanical process solutions for the cleaning and sterilization of research and pharmaceutical laboratories. Belimed AG offers corresponding services for surgical equipment used by hospitals.
Both parent companies are convinced that bringing together these business area into “one of the fastest growing industries worldwide” will generate synergies and “represents a unique strategic option for both companies involved”. The combination will “significantly strengthen” the market position of both companies and “open up new perspectives and growth opportunities for all parties involved, including the employees”.
