Optimal Industrial Automation Acquired by Bruker
Bruker acquires Optimal, a cutting edge PAT automation business
Entrepreneurs Hub, a corporate finance specialist serving privately owned small and mid-market companies, is pleased to announce it has advised on the sale of Optimal Industrial Automation and Technologies, a leader in pharma and biopharma process analytical technology (PAT), pharma manufacturing automation and Quality Assurance (QA) software and systems integration, based in the United Kingdom. Top 100 UK law firm Thrings also advised the shareholders on the transaction.
Dr. Falko Busse, President of the Bruker BioSpin Group, commented:
“The acquisition of Optimal is a very exciting step for Bruker as it supports more comprehensive solutions for the biopharmaceutical industry, now adding the capabilities to integrate cutting-edge systems into biopharma manufacturing processes and workflows. We welcome the Optimal team with their strong PAT and automation expertise and, together, are eager to support biotech and pharmaceutical companies in increasing their manufacturing efficiency and flexibility – a global need highlighted by the response to the pandemic crisis.”
Martin Gadsby, CEO and Co-founder of Optimal Industrial Automation and Technologies, added:
“We are delighted to be part of the Bruker family. Optimal and Bruker together are a perfect fit – we share the common ethos of delivering innovation with integrity, together with being recognised in the industry of providing high quality solutions that deliver tangible benefits to our customers. The whole Optimal team is excited with this new chapter in our history and look forward to delivering benefits to even more customers and patients around the world.”
Martin also added: “The whole sale process would have been totally impossible without the superb assistance and guidance from the Entrepreneurs Hub and Thrings teams. I can honestly say that both teams have been utterly fantastic, and their professional yet easy to work with style couldn’t have been better. Both Dave and I thank them from the bottom of our hearts.”
Mike O’Connor, Entrepreneurs Hub Lead Advisor to the shareholders commented:
“It was evident from the first meeting we had with Optimal that Martin and Dave had built not just one but two great businesses in Optimal Industrial Automation and Technologies. The task was to identify the right home for both companies, so in choosing to align with Bruker, I am very confident they have found the perfect home. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Martin and Dave over the last year and I look forward to charting their continued future success.”
Tim Allaston, Entrepreneurs Hub Director added:
“I have really enjoyed working with Martin, Dave and the team over the last 12 months and I am delighted that Optimal have found a great home in Bruker. I wish everyone all the very best of success as they enter a new and exciting period.”
Kate Westbrook, client partner and head of commercial at Thrings commented:
“The acquisition by Bruker will bring Optimal further success and we wish the whole team the very best for the future. It was a pleasure to work with Entrepreneurs Hub for the first time. The teams combined well and remained focused on the best outcome for our mutual clients throughout.”
About Optimal Industrial Technologies and Automation
Optimal is a well-established system integrator with over 37 years of experience who specialise in automating a client’s R&D or manufacturing system to ensure that their processes remain at the highest level of efficiency. The demands being placed on manufacturers in relation to production costs, product quality and business sustainability are ever increasing, and Optimal’s primary aim is to help their customers be the most competitive supplier of products to the highest level of quality in the worldwide marketplace, and to ensure that they maintain their lead in the years ahead.
Optimal have a rare and wide-ranging skill set covering a multitude of automation technologies, manufacturing processes and industry types, with very specific knowledge in highly regulated environments such as life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, FMCG, power generation and food & beverage sectors. In addition, they manufacture the world leading PAT Data Management software package – synTQ® and the widely used integrated Print and Inspect system – synTI®. The combination of PAT implementation knowledge and synTQ product together with their automation experience positions Optimal with unique skills that can be leveraged to great advantage by their customers.
About Bruker Corporation
Bruker is a manufacturer of scientific instruments for molecular and materials research, as well as for industrial and applied analysis. Headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts the company employs 6,900 people at over 90 locations on all continents.
Bruker is enabling scientists to make breakthrough discoveries and develop new applications that improve the quality of human life. The company’s high-performance scientific instruments and high-value analytical and diagnostic solutions enable scientists to explore life and materials at molecular, cellular and microscopic levels. In close cooperation with their customers, Bruker is enabling innovation, improved productivity and customer success in life science molecular research, in applied and pharma applications, in microscopy and nano analysis, and in industrial applications, as well as in cell biology, preclinical imaging, clinical phenomics and proteomics research and clinical microbiology. For more information, please visit: www.bruker.com.
Hear from the business owner directly
Making the decision to sell – Optimal
“There was no way I would sell the business. It was my identity, that’s what I was. After a certain number of years you do start to feel very mortal.”
Planning for an exit – Optimal
“Suddenly you look in the mirror and you think… I’m seeing an old man now. What is the exit plan?”
My advice for business owners – Optimal
“Be prepared for a lengthy journey with bumps in the road.”
Communicating the opportunity confidentially – Optimal
“I feel it’s really important for Entrepreneurs Hub to understand the business. You’re running on the razor blade because you want to keep things fairly confidential. I think they did a very good job.”
Meeting your value expectations – Optimal
“To be absolutely truthful, it was the best thing we ever did. I truly believe that we got a better price by working with Entrepreneurs Hub than running alone.”
Telling your team about the deal – Optimal
“The deal has to remain confidential for a great part of the journey, and it doesn’t make you feel good if you have a good relationship with your employees…”
Working with Entrepreneurs Hub – Optimal
“I feel as though I’m over selling it, but I can’t fault you! It’s not often in life whereby the first impressions are met by the experience.”
The value of 24/7 support – Optimal
“They were there to answer any tricky questions… (helping me) understand what the underlying question was about”
The value of dedicated FD support – Optimal
“Financially they were a great crutch in helping me through the journey”
How to profile the ideal acquirer – Optimal
“They got under the skin of the business, understood it. And then by working as a team we got together the key points of the business that might attract potential buyers.”
How to differentiate your business – Optimal
“Try to look at it from the customer’s perspective, what are they trying to achieve? Not just try and sell them a product, but actually think, how can I benefit the customer? What value can I bring them?”
Two years on, any regrets? – Optimal
“All around I don’t think it could have been bettered”
