United Drug expands with two acquisitions

United Drug has broadened its reach with two new acquisitions, one in meetings and events and another in the field of training.

The first company is Slough-based Universal CIT and the second is St. Alban's based BEST, and both will be integrated into the company's contract sales and marketing division, centred around contract sales provider Ashfield In2Focus.

Universal's managing director Mike Ford said: "Belonging to a larger group with such obvious synergies, will not only enhance our commercial positioning, but also strengthen our knowledge and involvement in the pharmaceutical sector.

"Universal is already the UK's largest pharma agency specialist, but this move will substantially increase our potential for growth and development."

Universal CIT has been organising international business events for over 30 years and employs over 140 staff, with a head office in Slough and three bases in the US.

United Drug's chief executive Liam FitzGerald commented: "We are delighted to announce the acquisitions of Universal and BEST. These acquisitions allow us to further pursue our strategy of building a range of marketing related services around our core sales offering within the contract sales and marketing division."