• Adaptas brings significant, adjacent opportunities to IMI Precision Engineering
• Post completion balance sheet to remain robust, maintaining strategic flexibility

IMI plc (“IMI” or the “Group”) announces the proposed acquisition of Adaptas Solutions (“Adaptas”) for an enterprise value of $271m (£202m¹). Adaptas Solutions will become part of IMI’s Precision Fluid OEM Business Unit within IMI Precision Engineering. For the year ending 31 December 2021, Adaptas solutions is expected to generate revenues of c.$83m, with adjusted EBITDA of c.$17m (21% margin) and adjusted EBIT of c.$14m (17% margin), all on an IFRS basis. The acquisition reflects a purchase multiple of 16x adjusted 2021 EBITDA.

The proposed acquisition of Adaptas Solutions is fully aligned with IMI’s strategy and purpose [Breakthrough Engineering for a better world] and represents a highly attractive opportunity to deepen IMI Precision Engineering’s Life Science offering with a complementary product portfolio and strong relationships with leading global analytical instrument manufacturers. Closing is expected to take place before 31 December 2021, subject to customary merger filings.

Adaptas overview

Adaptas is a manufacturer of mission critical mass spectrometry subsystems and components, such as electron multipliers, filaments, power supplies and ion optic grids, as well as liquid handling and lab automation components. The company is based in Palmer, Massachusetts, USA and also has facilities in Pennsylvania USA, West Sussex in the UK, New South Wales in Australia, and Qidong in China. Jay Ray (CEO) and Laura Ray (SVP, Global Integration), family owners of the business prior to the investment by Ampersand Capital Partners in 2018, will remain with the business post-acquisition, to drive profitable growth of the combined Adaptas and IMI product portfolios.

Transaction highlights

• The acquisition extends IMI Precision Engineering’s product portfolio further into Life Sciences – fully in-line with IMI’s stated strategy to develop into sustainable, profitable adjacencies.
• Adaptas’ business model of developing customised technical solutions for its customers fits well with IMI’s operating model to solve customer problems in attractive, growth markets.
• Adaptas enjoys strong and long-standing relationships with key global analytical instrument manufacturers. There are clear opportunities to broaden the market access of both Adaptas and IMI through the complementary customer bases and product ranges.
• The sharing of best practice between the businesses will unlock operational efficiencies across both organisations.
• Adaptas’ robust orderbook and project pipeline offer attractive and early growth opportunities.

The acquisition is forecast to be immediately earnings accretive, deliver a financial return in excess of IMI’s cost of capital by year three, and fully support IMI Precision’s delivery of its existing margin targets. The transaction fully aligns with the Group’s M&A guidelines and strict financial discipline. Proforma leverage (Net Debt / EBITDA) at the end of 2021 is expected to equal 1.5x, providing balance sheet capacity for further bolt-on opportunities.

Commenting on the acquisition, Roy Twite, Chief Executive of IMI, said:
“Our strategy at IMI is all about delivering tremendous value by solving industry problems – and putting customers at the heart of our decisions and processes. We are delighted to partner with Adaptas whose business model and values are very similar to our own and I am excited to welcome all at Adaptas into the IMI team.”

Beth Ferreira, Divisional Managing Director of IMI Precision Engineering, commented:
“I am thrilled to welcome Adaptas. The business has fantastic products, and a market-leading position underpinned by deep relationships with global analytical instrument manufacturers. We are very much looking forward to working with Jay Ray, Laura Ray and the whole Adaptas team to solve customer problems together and drive growth of our newly combined businesses.”

Jay Ray, CEO of Adaptas, added:
“We have built an excellent business at Adaptas with a great team. I am very excited about continuing our strategy of growth through the development of innovative products and services for our customers, and to work together with our new colleagues at IMI to accelerate the success of our combined businesses.”

Enquiries to:

John Dean
IMI
+44 (0)121 717 3712

Stephen Malthouse
Headland PR
+44 (0)7734 956 201

¹Using 12 November 2021 spot rate (US$1.34)

A webcast for analysts and investors was held on November 15th to discuss this statement. It is now available to view on-demand.

About IMI plc

IMI plc, the specialist engineering company, designs, manufactures and services highly engineered products that control the precise movement of fluids. Its innovative technologies, built around valves and actuators, enable vital processes to operate safely, sustainably, cleanly, efficiently and cost effectively. IMI employs around 10,000 people, has manufacturing facilities in 18 countries and operates a global service network. The Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Further information is available at www.imiplc.com.

IMI plc is registered in England No. 714275. Its legal entity identifier (‘LEI’) number is 2138002W9Q21PF751R30.

Acquisition to broaden Adaptas Solutions’ product family of fluidic modules to OEM life science instrument manufacturers

PALMER, Mass., Dec. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Adaptas Solutions, LLC, a leading manufacturer of critical components for mass spectrometers, analytical lab equipment and clinical instruments, has completed the acquisition of Cadence Fluidics. Cadence Fluidics designs and manufactures custom valves and fluidic subassemblies for life science OEM customers. Cadence Fluidics manufacturing will be transitioned into Adaptas Solutions’ 90,000 square foot ISO 9001:2015 campus in Palmer, MA.

“The addition of Cadence will allow us to continue to elevate our market position in the sample preparation and chromatography markets,” said Jay Ray, President and CEO of Adaptas Solutions. “Similar to Adaptas Solutions’ leading products offered to the mass spectrometer community, we are looking forward to continuing the fast-paced expansion to support Cadence’s industry leading OEM partners, especially in macromolecule purification and separation.”

“I am excited to partner with Adaptas Solutions for the next stage of Cadence Fluidics growth,” said Neil Picha, founder of Cadence Fluidics. “The Adaptas model for continuous innovation will allow us to develop next-generation valves for a multitude of critical industry applications.”

This latest acquisition further enhances the group’s manufacturing and engineering resources and expertise, allowing Adaptas to accelerate OEM client development projects through offering highly customizable products for market-specific applications.

Adaptas Solutions is a portfolio company of Ampersand Capital Partners. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

About Adaptas Solutions, LLC

Adaptas Solutions, LLC is a strategic OEM supplier for key products and manufacturing service for analytical and laboratory equipment manufacturers. Adaptas’ manufacturing vertical integration strategy allows for rapid to-market product development and best in class costing while delivering high quality products and services. Additional information is available at www.adaptas.com

About Cadence Fluidics

Founded in 2008, Cadence Fluidics is a product developer and manufacturer of custom valve solutions and components for life science OEM customers. Cadence has developed multiple valve combinations to support the sophisticated platforms which include HPLC/UHPLC, mass spectrometry, preparative chromatography, flash chromatography, protein purification and next generation DNA sequencing systems.

About Ampersand Capital Partners

Founded in 1988, Ampersand is a middle market private equity firm with more than $2 billion of assets under management dedicated to growth-oriented investments in the healthcare sector. With offices in Boston and Amsterdam, Ampersand leverages its unique blend of private equity and operating experience to build value and drive superior long-term performance alongside its portfolio company management teams. Ampersand has helped build numerous market-leading companies across each of the firm’s core healthcare sectors. Additional information about Ampersand is available at www.ampersandcapital.com.

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Notes to Editors:

• Press Contact: Linda McCauley, Adaptas Solutions, Marketing Manager, 1.413.284.9975, sales@adaptas.com
• Download high-resolution images for publication from: adaptas.com/news

Acquisition to expand global footprint, enhance product development and broaden Adaptas’ scientific instrument industry leadership position

PALMER, MASSACHUSETTS, USA, February 26, 2020 — Adaptas Solutions, LLC, a leader in mass spectrometry and analytical instrument contract design and manufacturing, and L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) have signed a definitive agreement for Adaptas to acquire L3Harris’ Applied Kilovolts and Analytical Instrumentation business.

About Adaptas Solutions, LLC

Adaptas Solutions, LLC is a strategic OEM supplier for key products and manufacturing service for analytical and laboratory equipment manufacturers.  Adaptas’ manufacturing vertical integration strategy allows for rapid to-market product development and best in class costing while delivering high quality products and services.  Additional information is available at www.adaptas.com

About Ampersand Capital Partners

Founded in 1988, Ampersand is a middle market private equity firm dedicated to growth-oriented investments in the healthcare sector.  With offices in Boston and Amsterdam, Ampersand leverages its unique blend of private equity and operating experience to build value and drive superior long-term performance alongside its portfolio company management teams.  Ampersand has helped build numerous market-leading companies across each of our core healthcare sectors, including Brammer Bio, Confluent Medical, Genewiz, Talecris Biotherapeutics and Viracor-IBT Laboratories.  For more information, please visit www.ampersandcapital.com.

# # #

Notes to Editors:

• Press Contact: Linda McCauley, Adaptas Solutions, Marketing Manager, 1.413.284.9975, sales@adaptas.com
• Download high-resolution images for publication from: adaptas.com/news

PALMER, MASSACHUSETTS, USA, August 20, 2019 — With the opening of its new headquarters in Palmer, Mass., Adaptas Solutions, LLC (formerly Detector Technology Inc.), a leading life science, analytical, clinical system, and assembly suppliers, has expanded its global operations to a total of more than 100,000 square feet.

The new headquarters, featuring a 30,000-square-foot expansion, includes 20,000 square feet of new assembly manufacturing operations to support the company’s continued expansion into FDA-regulated devices.

“The expansion of our facility and operations is an important continuation of our growth strategy to supply innovative client products and services,” said Jay Ray, president and CEO of Adaptas.

Adaptas’ products and services include:

• High-performance channel electron multipliers and design and manufacturing services; as well as automation and fluidic handling solutions for lab instrumentation.
• Filaments for mass spectrometers and distributor of equipment and supplies for mass spectroscopy, sample preparation, and general laboratory use.
• Discrete dynode electron multiplier brand for high-performance mass spectrometers.

For more information, visit the Adaptas website at www.adaptas.com.

About Adaptas Solutions

Adaptas Solutions is a contract manufacturer of sample-to-answer solutions for laboratory science, analytical, and clinical equipment. Its Adaptas Business Model incorporates a vertically integrated design and manufacturing strategy that supports rapid product development and best-in-class costing while delivering exceptional quality and service. Adaptas Solutions sells products and services under its Detector Technologies, ETP Ion Detect, and Scientific Instrument Services brands. The company is based in Palmer, Massachusetts and has facilities across the U.S. and Australia. Adaptas is a portfolio business of equity investment firm Ampersand Capital Partners (Wellesley, MA). Additional information is available at www.adaptas.com.

# # #

Notes to Editors:

• Press Contact: Linda McCauley, Adaptas Solutions, Marketing Manager, 1.413.284.9975, sales@adaptas.com
• Download high-resolution images for publication from: adaptas.com/news

PALMER, MASSACHUSETTS, USA, January 31, 2019 — Detector Technology, Inc., a leading product and contract manufacturer of components and assemblies for laboratory science, analytical, and clinical equipment, announced today that it is changing its corporate name to Adaptas Solutions on a worldwide basis, effective immediately.

“Adaptas Solutions exemplifies our highly flexible and adaptable, vertically integrated design and manufacturing model that delivers ultra-responsive service, exceptional technical support, and transparent project management,” said Jay Ray, President and Chief Executive Officer of Adaptas Solutions. “As we began to grow our product portfolio and contract services through acquisitions, it became apparent that a new name would allow us to unite our brands and emphasize our value to customers.”

Adaptas Solutions’ businesses, which will continue to sell products under their individual brands, include:

• Detector Technology (DeTech): A leading supplier of high-performance channel electron multipliers and design and manufacturing services. The business also produces automation and liquid handling solutions for lab instrumentation.
• ETP Ion Detect®: The world’s leading discrete dynode electron multiplier brand for high performance mass spectrometers.
• Scientific Instrument Services (SIS): A manufacturer of filaments for mass spectrometers and distributor of equipment and supplies for mass spectroscopy, sample preparation, and general laboratory use.

About Adaptas Solutions

Adaptas Solutions is a contract manufacturer of sample-to-answer solutions for laboratory science, analytical, and clinical equipment. Its Adaptas Business Model incorporates a vertically integrated design and manufacturing strategy that supports rapid product development and best-in-class costing while delivering exceptional quality and service. Adaptas Solutions sells products and services under its Detector Technologies, ETP Ion Detect, and Scientific Instrument Services brands. The company is based in Palmer, Massachusetts and has facilities across the U.S. and Australia. DeTech is a portfolio business of equity investment firm Ampersand Capital Partners (Wellesley, MA).  Additional information is available at www.adaptas.com.

About Ampersand Capital Partners

Founded in 1988, Ampersand is a middle market private equity firm dedicated to growth-oriented investments in the healthcare sector. With offices in Boston, MA and Amsterdam, Netherlands, Ampersand leverages a unique blend of private equity and operating experience to build value and drive superior long-term performance alongside its portfolio company management teams. Ampersand has helped build numerous market-leading companies across each of its core healthcare sectors, including Brammer Bio, Confluent Medical, Genewiz, Genoptix, Talecris Biotherapeutics and Viracor-IBT Laboratories. Additional information about Ampersand is available at www.ampersandcapital.com

# # #

Notes to Editors:

• Press Contact: Linda McCauley, Adaptas Solutions, Marketing Manager, 1.413.284.9975, sales@adaptas.com
• Download high-resolution images for publication from: adaptas.com/news

Expands Global footprint, enhances product development and broadens its instrument industry solution leadership position

PALMER, Mass., Nov. 5, 2018 — Detector Technology, Inc., (“DeTech”) a leader in analytical instrument contract design and manufacturing, with its roots in mass spectrometry, announced the acquisition of industry-leading electron multiplier manufacturer ETP Ion Detect Pty Ltd (“ETP”), based in Sydney, Australia.

“The ETP acquisition substantially expands our product offering and realizes our market leading vision in mass spectrometry components, subassemblies and contract manufacturing,” said Jay Ray, President and CEO of DeTech. “Combining our respective technologies allows us to provide world class solutions for next generation mass spectrometers, particularly in the robust clinical and life science applied markets.”

Following the merger between DeTech and SIS in January of 2018, the addition of ETP enhances the group’s manufacturing and engineering resources, allowing the aggregated group to accelerate development and prioritize value-added detection solutions for next generation client product lines.

“The synergies that both companies have with a customer-focused approach and high technical engagement is a great fit,” said Colin Jump, CEO of ETP. “We are very excited to be part of the DeTech vision for providing leading-edge manufacturing and innovative products.”

The DeTech parent company, which provides bespoke OEM R&D and production for a wide range of sample prep, automation, pumping and analytical solutions, will remain headquartered in Palmer, MA, while maintaining the recently-built world-class ETP manufacturing, development and support in Australia.

DeTech is a portfolio company of Ampersand Capital Partners. Financial terms of the ETP acquisition were not disclosed.

About Detector Technology, Inc.

Detector Technology, Inc. is a strategic OEM supplier for key products and manufacturing service for analytical and laboratory equipment manufacturers. DeTech’s manufacturing vertical integration strategy allows for rapid to market product development and best in class costing while delivering high quality and service. Additional information is available at www.detechinc.com.

About ETP Ion Detect

ETP Ion Detect is the market leader for electron multipliers for all major industry mass spectrometers. ETP’s innovation and strong technical development team has produced solutions that allow for increased capabilities within the mass spectrometer. Additional information is available at www.etp-ms.com.

About Ampersand Capital Partners

Founded in 1988, Ampersand is a middle market private equity firm dedicated to growth-oriented investments in the healthcare sector. With offices in Boston and Amsterdam, Ampersand leverages its unique blend of private equity and operating experience to build value and drive superior long-term performance alongside its portfolio company management teams. Ampersand has helped build numerous market-leading companies across each of our core healthcare sectors, including Brammer Bio, Confluent Medical, Genewiz, Talecris Biotherapeutics and Viracor-IBT Laboratories. For more information, please visit www.ampersandcapital.com.

The combined companies are positioned for future acquisitions, enhanced product development and increased capacity

February 20, 2018 – Detector Technology, Inc., (“DeTech”) a leader in analytical instrument contract design and manufacturing, with a focus on mass spectrometry and sample preparation, today announced the acquisition of long-time partner Scientific Instrument Services (“SIS”). The two merged companies’ key manufacturing and engineering resources will facilitate customized product development and production solutions for the combined entity’s global OEM clients. DeTech is a portfolio company of Ampersand Capital Partners.

“The acquisition of SIS is our first step towards building a leading contract manufacturer of lab products,” said Jay Ray, President and CEO of DeTech. “The acquisition allows us to strengthen our initial strategic vision of being the market leader in mass spectrometry contract manufacturing. DeTech is focused on continuing to expand its liquid handling and automation capabilities, and our growth will provide our customers innovative product solutions, enhanced support and operational efficiencies.”

“The benefits that our OEM partners will realize from this business combination are meaningful given the complementary aspects of our product development and manufacturing capabilities,” said Chris Baker, President of SIS. “We are very excited to be part of the DeTech market leadership vision, world class manufacturing and best-in-class products.”

DeTech will remain headquartered in Palmer, MA, while maintaining the presence of manufacturing and support from the SIS facilities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

About Detector Technology, Inc.

Detector Technology, Inc. is a strategic OEM supplier for key products and manufacturing service for analytical and laboratory equipment manufacturers. DeTech’s manufacturing vertical integration strategy allows for rapid to market product development and best in class costing while delivering high quality and service. Additional information is available at www.detechinc.com.

About Scientific Instrument Services

Scientific Instrument Services is a manufacturer of precision mass spectrometry filaments and ion optic assemblies. SIS also distributes an extensive line of laboratory supplies for mass spectrometers, gas chromatographs and related scientific laboratory equipment including its patented Thermal Desorption System. Additional Information is available at www.sisweb.com.

About Ampersand Capital Partners

Founded in 1988, Ampersand is a middle market private equity firm dedicated to growth-oriented investments in the healthcare sector. Ampersand leverages its blend of private equity and operating experience to build value and drive superior long-term performance alongside its portfolio company management teams. Ampersand has helped build numerous market-leading companies across each of our core healthcare sectors, including Brammer Bio, Confluent Medical, Detector Technology, Genoptix, Talecris Biotherapeutics and Viracor-IBT Laboratories. Additional information about Ampersand is available at ampersandcapital.com.