In a deal retroactive to 1 June 2008, the Krallmann group (Hiddenhausen / Germany; www.krallmann.de) has agreed to acquire the toothbrush and other dental activities of Gerresheimer Group (Düsseldorf / Germany; www.gerresheimer.com) for an undisclosed sum. Gerresheimer picked up the business, which it regards as non-core, in early 2007 with the takeover of the former Wilden group, now trading as Gerresheimer Wilden (Regensburg / Germany; www.wilden.com) – see Plasteurope.com of 11.01.2007. Krallmann will continue marketing the portfolio under the “Interbros” trademark used by Wilden and a predecessor firm.

With this latest acquisition, sales of the group founded in 1969 as a mould- and die-maker and expanded in 1979 to include a plastic process business will pass EUR 400m. Management’s target is now to widen turnover to EUR 70m and the workforce to 600 from the current 400. Krallmann is also believed to be eyeing the medical technology portfolio of Balda (Bad Oeynhausen / Germany; www.balda.de) – see Plasteurope.com of 24.04.2008. Here, it could face competition from Gerresheimer, which also wants to focus on pharmaceutical and medical technology. To this end, Gerresheimer may divest Wilden’s EUR 80m automotive supply business.