The acquisition of Meriden brings another strong trading brand to the Anpario Group, broadening its product technology and increasing Anpario's global market share in the feed additive sector.

Meriden, based in Bedfordshire in the United Kingdom, supplies the global agriculture and aquaculture markets with natural animal feed additive products. Meriden’s Orego-Stim range of products, using essential oils, is the leading brand in its field and is marketed across 60 countries worldwide, with the majority of sales being outside the United Kingdom.

Meriden typically supplies through distributors in the local territories. It also has a technical support team based in a representative office in Malaysia and a joint venture company in Australia. Meriden's sales for the 12 months to December 2011 were £5.35 million.

Meriden has a close and important partnership with its China operation with sales accounting for 26 percent of Meriden’s total sales during 2011. The China business has been growing well and Anpario intends to give further support to this relationship to capitalise on the vast potential of China’s agriculture market.

In line with Anpario's strategy, Meriden will be run as a separate business enabling the team to focus on selling and marketing high quality feed additive products around the world. Joining Anpario means Meriden's management team will gain additional support and can benefit from working together with Anpario’s research and development resource to develop new and innovative products for sale under the Meriden brand.

The two founders, namely, Stephen Harris, Managing Director, and Pamela McLaren, Company Secretary, are to remain with the business in their existing roles, and will continue to develop the Meriden business further.

Richard Edwards, Executive Vice Chairman of Anpario, commented: “Meriden Animal Health is a quality business with strong brand recognition for developing 100 percent natural feed additives. This acquisition increases our global market share in animal feed additives which is benefiting as the agriculture industry looks to use natural based solutions to promote the health and growth of animals for meat consumption.

"Meriden’s significant presence in China increases our involvement in the world’s biggest producer of poultry and pig meat and reinforces our strategy to build more significant positions in emerging agriculture and aquaculture markets. We are delighted to welcome the Meriden team and very much look forward to working with them in achieving continued success with the business.”