Bunzl acquisition of DDS goes ahead after FTC approval

Distribution and outsourcing group Bunzl announced on Wednesday that the acquisition of Diversified Distribution Systems, which was initially announced on 1 March, had been completed following clearance of the transaction by the Federal Trade Commission in the US.

The FTSE 100 firm described DDS as a distributor of goods not-for-resale and value-added services to retailers and other general distribution customers, principally throughout North America but also in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

“Based in Minneapolis and with four distribution centres in the US and several third party logistic arrangements internationally, the business supplies a wide range of packaging, consumables and operating store supplies through a variety of distribution and outsourcing programmes,” the Bunzl board said.

“Revenue in 2016 was $312m.”

Bunzl had not revealed the value of the transaction, either in its first announcement or in Tuesday’s release.