A Suffolk-based animal health products firm with a 120-strong workforce has been snapped up by a company in Carlisle.

East Anglian Daily Times: Tim Davies, chief executive of Carr's Group Picture: D&H PHOTOGRAPHERSTim Davies, chief executive of Carr's Group Picture: D&H PHOTOGRAPHERS (Image: D&HPhotographers)

Carr’s Group, the new owners of Animax, at Stanton, near Bury St Edmunds, said there would be no job losses at the firm, after it acquired it for up to £8.5m.

The £346m turnover agriculture and engineering group, which employs around 1,000 staff excluding Animax, said the acquisition is in line with its strategy of investing in growing agriculture markets in the UK and internationally, and would bring innovation and patent protected technology to the group, together with recognised and highly respected brands.

As well as making engineering equipment, Carr’s makes feed blocks and supplementation products for livestock, distributes farm machinery and runs a UK network of rural stores.

Animax, which has a turnover of around £7m, was established in 1982 and specialises in the research, development and manufacture of animal health products. It is at the forefront of livestock trace element supplementation innovation, and produces patented leaching boluses, sold in the UK and overseas under the Tracesure and Allsure brands, aimed at improving the health of livestock.

It also produces other leading animal health and trace element supplementation products sold under well-known brands including Copasure, Copinox, Coprac, Easycal, Pardevit and Paracide.

Carr’s has also acquired related business Clinimax, which makes specialist disinfectant products for the medical industry. Last year, Animax and Clinimax, made a combined profit before tax of £0.3m.

The new owner said it would be investing in new product research and in manufacturing efficiencies at Animax.

It also expects “significant” benefits to manufacturing, distribution and sales as a result of the acquisition.

Carr’s boss Tim Davies expressed delight at the deal, which was in line with its strategy of developing its growing livestock specialist nutrition market. “The combination of Carr’s resources, knowledge and distribution, together with the Animax research capability, product technology and history of innovation, make a compelling case for this strategic step for the group.”