Carr’s Group, an agriculture and engineering group, and the parent company of Carrs Billington, has acquired animal health manufacturer Animax, for an initial consideration of £6 million.

Animax, based in Suffolk was established in 1982, and is at the forefront of innovation in the field of livestock trace element supplementation. Its patent-protected leaching boluses, currently sold in the UK and overseas under the Tracesure and Allsure brands, are specifically designed to deliver health benefits to livestock consistently over prolonged periods.

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

Tim Davies, chief executive of Carr’s Group, said the acquisition of Animax aligns with the Group’s stated strategy of investing in growing agriculture markets in the UK and internationally.

He said that Animax and its product ranges enhance the Carr’s Group’s position in the global animal health and livestock supplementation markets; bring innovation and patent-protected technology to the Group together with a number of recognised and highly respected brands; are highly complementary to, and will benefit from clear synergies with, the established Carr’s Group feed block business across the USA, New Zealand, Europe, UK and Ireland; and broaden the company’s animal health and supplementation product ranges which bring added value to farmers.

As part of the acquisition, Carr’s has also acquired the entire issued share capital of Animax’s related business, Clinimax, a manufacturer of specialist disinfectant products for use in the medical industry.

Mr Davies said: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Animax. This acquisition is in line with our stated strategy of developing our offering in the growing livestock specialist nutrition market both in the UK and internationally.

“Animax is highly complementary to our global feed block business and will add value to our customers’ businesses. Animax has a history of developing market leading products based on sound research with its brands being recognised for their efficacy and performance. 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.”