» SEPTEMBER 2011
Aesica Announces Plans For Further Growth
SEPTEMBER 2011: Leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, Aesica, has today announced plans for further growth and expansion following significant investment from Silverfleet Capital, the European private equity firm.
Subject to regulatory clearance from the German authorities, which is expected to occur within the next four weeks, Silverfleet Capital has agreed a majority investment with Aesica and members of the Aesica Executive have reinvested for a large minority stake in the company. Financial support will be provided by Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets Acquisition Finance, HSBC and Yorkshire Bank and additional corporate support will continue to be supplied by PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young and Ward Hadaway.
The investment will enable Aesica to continue its rapid expansion into new markets and achieve its vision of becoming the number one supplier of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Formulated Products to the global pharmaceutical industry. With six manufacturing sites across Europe and sales representation across the US, Europe and Asia, Aesica plans to build on the success of 2011, which has resulted in forecasted turnover of €180m and extend its current capabilities and global manufacturing facilities.
Silverfleet replaces LDC as Aesica's long-term partner. Since the original 2004 investment LDC has provided management with financial and strategic support to implement a rapid and impressive expansion plan. This has focused on enhancing Aesica's manufacturing capabilities, developing new service lines, adding new products to its portfolio and increasing its presence in major international growth markets.
Dr. Robert Hardy, CEO of Aesica says: "We have known the team at Silverfleet Capital for a number of years and chose them as our financial partner because of their deep knowledge of our market and their experience and successful track record of building global businesses of scale through buy and build strategies.
"Aesica is founded on over 30 years of pharmaceutical manufacturing expertise. Most recently the three acquisitions of manufacturing sites in Germany and Italy demonstrate our commitment to enhancing Aesica's service offering to the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Our long term strategic plan was to establish a manufacturing presence in the US and Asia in 2012 and with the support from Silverfleet Capital we can continue to expand into new markets, evolve and grow more swiftly."
Healthcare is one of Silverfleet Capital's core sectors. Previously Silverfleet Capital has invested in Sterigenics and EDP. Key to the success of both Sterigenics and EDP was the delivery of strong earnings growth through the successful execution of buy and build and roll out strategies, which extended their international footprint.
Adrian Yurkwich, the partner at Silverfleet Capital with responsibility for healthcare who led the transaction, will join the board as a non-executive director. Adrian adds: "Global outsourcing of pharmaceutical manufacturing was worth $44bn in 2010 and is forecasted to grow at c.7% per annum for the foreseeable future. Aesica is in a strong position to benefit from that growth through further expanding its international footprint in Europe, the US and Asia and by increasing the number of strategic partners it works with.
"Aesica has an excellent management team who have achieved very impressive growth and we look forward to working in partnership with them."
Aesica is a leading full-service provider of contract research, development and manufacturing services for Formulated Products and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. The company develops long-term strategic partnerships with its clients, responds quickly and effectively to market demand and develops tailored solutions for specific requirements.
Its unique proposition lies in its flexible and bespoke approach to service delivery, coupled with its ability to develop products from the initial clinical stage through to final commercial supply. Furthermore, the long established and proven expertise within Aesica enables it to provide primary and secondary contract manufacturing services to the highest possible regulatory standards. It is this full-service offer, its dedication to exceptional standards of service and its ability to deliver innovation and added value for its clients that truly sets Aesica apart from its counterparts.
For more information about Aesica please visit www.aesica-pharma.com
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For further information please contact Elizabeth Eddy or Leanne English on 01642 584790 or email elizabeth@velvetcommunications.co.uk or leanne@velvetcommunications.co.uk
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Bus Drivers On The Run For Charity
SEPTEMBER 2011: Three drivers from Sunderland left their buses behind to take part in the 30th BUPA Great North Run for charity.
Stagecoach North East bus drivers Brian Charlton, Sean Smith and Peter Wilkinson took part in the 13.1mile run between Newcastle and South Shields on Sunday, September 18, to raise funds for charities of their choice.
Seasoned marathon and half marathon runner Brian finished in 1 hour 40 minutes – narrowly missing out on his personal best of 1 hour 38 minutes.
The 48-year-old dad-of-three from Sunderland chose to support autism charity Get Kids Going and hopes to have raised around £300 when all of his sponsorship money is collected. He said: "I trained really hard for the Great North Run and was so strict with myself, which isn't easy because I love food. But it paid off and for all I didn't beat my personal best, I'm really happy with my time. I love taking part in it and it's an added bonus that I've raised money for such a worthwhile cause."
Peter raised funds for Coping with Cancer North East. The 46-year-old from Sunderland, who also finished in 1 hour 40 minutes, said: "We want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported and sponsored us. We're all really pleased with our finishing times; our training certainly paid off. And the fact that we've been able to help charities is fantastic and we hope it will make a real difference to the people they support."
The men, who all work at the local bus company's Sunderland depot, have run marathons and half marathons before and will be following up their Great North Run exploits by participating in the Cumbrian 10 mile run.
Sean Smith was taking part in his 19th consecutive Great North Run and this year finished in 1 hour 20 minutes, two minutes quicker than last year. Sean said: "I was aiming for under one hour 20 minutes so I'm a little disappointed I didn't quite reach that. However, my finishing time is still great and I'm proud of myself, Brian and Peter for all the hard work we put in to prepare. I'm looking forward to the next run already."
John Conroy, Managing Director, Stagecoach North East, said: "We are very happy to support the fundraising efforts of our staff. On behalf of the company I want to say a big well done to Brian, Peter and Sean for taking part in the Great North Run. They worked so hard, constantly pushing themselves, and their efforts will raise hundreds of pounds for good causes locally. That's a really great achievement."
Brian, Peter and Sean were taking part in this year's BUPA Great North Run alongside stars from television, radio and sport including Ray Stubbs, Dame Kelly Holmes, Sonia O'Sullivan, Emmerdale actors, James Thornton and Nicola Wheeler and Life on Mars actor, Marshall Lancaster.
For further information about Stagecoach North East please visit www.stagecoachbus.com/northeast
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For further information please contact Leanne English on 01642 584790 or email leanne@velvetcommunications.co.uk
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Specialist Pilates Studio Is Unique To Teesside
SEPTEMBER 2011: A physiotherapist in Teesside is the only certified practitioner between Derby and Edinburgh with a qualification from the Pilates Foundation to teach studio and equipment based Pilates.
Joy Feary, co founder of Body 2 Fit, Teesside's leading physiotherapy, sports injury and Pilates Clinic, has successfully completed a three year training course with the leading national organisation and is now recognised as being able to provide comprehensive Pilates tuition and training.
The intensive course enables Pilates practitioners to enhance their mat work skills, but more importantly it teaches specialist equipment and studio based Pilates techniques, which very few practices are able to offer.
Like mat work Pilates, studio based Pilates promotes a stronger, leaner more flexible body, but achieves the results much faster. The equipment used within the studio environment offers varying resistance to make the body work harder, resulting in a more intense full body workout. As a result, studio based Pilates is suitable for anyone simply looking to get fit and tone up, to elite athletes and aspiring performers. The variety of equipment also ensures that those suffering from or trying to prevent an injury can benefit from practicing Pilates in the studio, as demonstrated by high profile devotees such as David Beckham.
Joy qualified in June 2011 after completing the bridging equipment component of the qualification in Edinburgh, which comprised a mix of practical and theoretical exams.
Speaking of her new qualification Joy says: "Since I qualified as a physiotherapist back in 1993 I have had an interest in how all forms of movement can combine to promote health and wellness. As a trained dancer, Pilates was always on my radar and I began to train in 2006 before embarking upon the comprehensive training to ensure we could offer studio based classes to our diverse range of clients.
"It was my passion for movement that led me to leave the NHS and set up Body 2 Fit, as I wanted to create a clinic that offered specialist physio treatment with the additional benefits of Pilates. Our offering is pretty unique and we've invested heavily in specialist Pilates equipment to transform our studio, as we firmly believe this is a rare proposition within the North East and should be maximised to its full potential. We work with some of the region's most notable sports professionals as equipment based Pilates tuition is vital for strengthening, but we also work with those individuals that are looking to generally facilitate movement, including those with neurological health issues."
Following Joy's recent qualification, Body 2 Fit has significantly invested in new equipment for its Pilates studio, which was imported from the U.S. and is now being used by a diverse range of clients.
As one of the UK's leading private physiotherapy clinics, Body 2 Fit often combines Pilates with physiotherapy, as the principles of Pilates can often help prevent future injury and enhance overall posture. Moreover, by introducing Pilates exercises to physio treatment, the company has witnessed improved strength and flexibility in many clients and they often become less dependant upon a therapist for pain relief.
The company's highly skilled team comprises specialist physiotherapists, sports injury experts, Pilates and yoga instructors, podiatrists and personal trainers. While Body 2 Fit is a private healthcare company it enjoys close working relationships with local Consultant Specialist Surgeons, General Practitioners and Consultant Radiologists and also has established partnerships with leading sports clubs throughout the region.
For more information about Body 2 Fit and its range of services including Pilates classes and one to one training sessions please visit www.body2fit.co.uk or call 01642 680680
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For further information please contact Elizabeth Eddy at Velvet Communications on 01642 584790 or email elizabeth@velvetcommunications.co.uk
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The Other Organic
SEPTEMBER 2011: As the Soil Association's Organic September gets underway, Ethical Superstore, the UK's leading online retailer of inspired eco friendly, Fair Trade and organic products, is putting the 'other organic' firmly in the spotlight.
Organic September was introduced by the Soil Association as a way to inform the public of the many advantages of choosing socially and environmentally friendly products. Now in its sixth year, the campaign is still going strong, with the public making conscious, educated decisions when choosing between organic and non-organic products.
Though 'organic' is now a commonplace term when referring to groceries and gardening, there are still many preconceptions and misunderstandings with regards to organic clothing. We have long since moved past the 'hippies in hemp' and unflattering natural hues, though the term 'organic fashion' still conjures up this image for many. In reality, organic clothing featuring Soil Association certified cotton, offers consumers the opportunity to fill their wardrobes with fashion forward, quality pieces, which often last longer than non-organic alternatives.
Vic Morgan, Marketing and Innovation Director at Ethical Superstore elaborates: "The word 'organic' in its very origins means clothing which is made from cotton that is produced without the use of chemicals, in the form of pesticides and herbicides. As a result, the cotton retains its natural shine, weight and smoothness, making them more durable, equating to better value for money.
"When the majority of people consider organic they immediately think of chocolate and fruit, when actually clothing is just as viable, with the same advantages in terms of quality. We're aiming to make people as aware of the advantages of organic fashion, as they are about organic food."
Thanks to fashion designers such as Emma Watson and Orla Kiely, organic clothing is now on a par with high street fashion in producing the season's key looks and trends.
However, the advantages of organic clothing reach far beyond what you see in the mirror or what is hanging in your wardrobe. Organic clothing produced by respected brands such as People Tree, lessens the environmental and social impacts which non-organic clothing can create, such as the use of toxic chemicals and the effect of this on both the workers and the environment.
Furthermore, non-organic clothing featuring toxins such as pesticides and herbicides has a negative impact on local and worldwide environments, deeply affecting the eco-systems where it is manufactured and produced, as well as contributing to the rise in global warming. As a result, organic clothing represents a significantly better package for the entire production team especially those working at grass roots level sourcing the basic materials, as well as the end user and indeed the entire global population.
And, this is something consumers are starting to recognise and respond to. Vic continues, "As the popularity of organic fashion gathers pace, we are discovering that people who make environmentally conscious lifestyle choices are now considering the moral consequences of the clothing they purchase as well.
"The majority of the organic clothing available at Ethical Superstore is also Fair Trade certified, making the decision for the consumers even more socially responsible."
Organic clothing is now available for purchase from www.ethicalsuperstore.com and includes an exclusive People Tree range designed by Orla Kiely, the season's latest cable knit cardigans, the hottest prints and other clothing and accessory ranges for both men and women.
To view the product ranges please visit www.ethicalsuperstore.com or call 0800 999 2134
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For further information, imagery or to request a product sample please contact Jennifer Tate or Elizabeth Eddy at Velvet Communications on 01642 584790 or email jennifer@velvetcommunications.co.uk
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