Management Due Diligence specialists, The Quinn Partnership has advised Palatine Private Equity on it’s management buyout of Vernacare, the UK’s market leading provider of single use infection control systems to the healthcare sector.

Based in Bolton, Vernacare employs over 200 staff across the UK and North America and sells to a varied customer base in more than 50 countries worldwide.

The company manufactures and supplies a range of products including the Vernacare system, which is the most widely adopted single-use disposable system in the UK healthcare market. It is comprised of moulded fibre containers used for toileting, washing, bathing and caring for patients throughout their stay, in addition to Vortex disposal units that hygienically dispose of the containers and contents.

Vernacare is the market leader in the UK supplying to 260 NHS Hospital Trusts, and has an established presence in the rest of Europe, Canada, Australia, and the Far East. The company is currently pursuing further international growth opportunities and has recently signed an agreement with a leading healthcare provider in China as part of the Chancellor’s recent trade visit.

The deal sees Palatine, which typically invests between £10m and £30m of equity, take a majority share in Vernacare. The firm will work with the management team, which is led by CEO Matt Miller and CFO Paul Wright, to grow product sales and accelerate the expansion into overseas markets.

Ed Fazakerley, partner at Palatine Private Equity and non-executive director at Vernacare, said: “Vernacare is well established in the UK and whilst there remain further opportunities for domestic growth, our main focus will be on the continued expansion of the international side of the business. We have been highly impressed by the quality of the management team and their focus on developing both the product range and driving overseas expansion. We look forward to working with them in this next stage of the company’s development.”

Matt Miller, CEO of Vernacare, said: “The Vernacare system has tremendous benefits to both patients and carers. Not only is it an environmentally friendly solution, it also helps to reduce the risk of cross infection when caring for bed bound patients, an issue which has gained increasing prominence across the world in recent years. Working with Palatine will enable us to continue the development of our global footprint and placement of our products in high quality healthcare facilities worldwide.”

Mike Stiles, Director at The Quinn Partnership commented “Vernacare are already the UK market leader, in partnership with Palatine, the team look ideally positioned for continual international expansion”.

For more information on Management Due Diligence and other services email enquiries@thequinnpartnership.co.uk