March 09, 2017
In a significant move to expand their distribution offering, Adcock Ingram Healthcare (Pty) Ltd, has acquired Virtual Logistics (Pty) Ltd, a national and cross border fine distribution company. Translink acted as advisor to the buyer. The acquisition will be effective April 2017.
Already a well-established logistics operator, Adcock Ingram is the only local pharmaceutical company offering a full service pharmaceutical distribution solution. As a leading pharmaceutical company, Adcock Ingram does direct distribution nationally to wholesalers, hospitals pharmacies, and home deliveries to patients.
“This acquisition brings us closer to realising our strategic vision of owning a fully compliant network and will make us one of the largest fine distributors in the country,” said Tobie Krige, Managing Director of the Distribution division. “Virtual Logistics has an extensive national footprint across South Africa with tailored solutions for hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, healthcare practices and general retail delivery outlets. This expanded footprint will complement our operational reach and capacity, allowing for improved service levels to customers, especially pharmacies. Our well established ability to offer a contract service to potential customers, will be enhanced by this deal.”
The reach of over 3000 destinations, currently serviced by Virtual Logistics, will enhance and expand the Adcock Ingram offering of over 6000 drop points allowing greater choice in ‘route to market’ for all industry stakeholders. This is of particular importance in the pharmaceutical industry where compliance requirements are non-negotiable.
“Adcock Ingram’s valuable owner driver enterprise development initiative will gain critical mass as we combine the two companies’ schemes under the new structure, which will assist in achieving our transformation objectives,” Krige concluded.
Jeanette Charlton, Managing Director and owner of Virtual Logistics will join the Adcock Ingram Distribution management team to ensure a seamless integration process. “I am excited about the future of Virtual Logistics and this opportunity for the company to reach its full potential under the Adcock Ingram umbrella,” said Charlton.
Contact our Team Members advising in this transaction:
Translink South Africa is based in beautiful Cape Town. Our partners have executed deals in more than 9 African countries and we cover the entire sub Saharan Africa. Transactions in Africa can be challenging, and our deep local knowledge of cultural nuances and local business dynamics assists our clients to achieve a common understanding with targets and buyers. We help our clients navigate the often intricate corporate social responsibility aspects of transactions, such as Black Economic Empowerment, which are is an important consideration in Africa. South Africa is Africa’s economic powerhouse and for many of our multinational clients serve as a platform for further expansion in Africa with its massive untapped youth market and growing middle class. We have particular expertise in the Mining, Industrial, ITC, Logistics, Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural sectors.