BERGEN BRUNSWIG ADDING $140 MIL. IN SALES VIA HEALTHCARE DISTRIBUTORS

BERGEN BRUNSWIG ADDING $140 MIL. IN SALES VIA HEALTHCARE DISTRIBUTORS of Indiana, which the whole-saler is acquiring in a deal announced Dec. 14. HDI is a privately-owned distributor covering Indiana and Illinois. The agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of HDI at a value of approximately $14 mil. includes an exchange of stock and the assumption of certain liabilities. HDI is the latest in an extensive series of purchases by Bergen Brunswig that have broadened the wholesaler's geographical reach ("The Pink Sheet" Nov. 16, T&G-5). Bergen said its proposed purchase of South Bend-based HDI will provide it with "substantially improved" access to the Midwestern market and "complement our existing regional distribution center in Williamston, Mich." The transaction is expected to be completed in January, "subject to regulatory and other approvals." Bergen also announced that it has decided to retain and develop the medical supply business of Durr-Fillauer, rather than sell it as previously indicated. In the wholesaler's annual report released in November, Bergen had confirmed its intention to sell the medical/surgical supply and orthotic divisions that had been acquired in the October purchase of Durr-Fillauer. Bergen paid well over $400 mil. for Durr-Fillauer, and the sale of the medical/surgical operations would have helped to make up some part of the cost. Durr's medical/surgical business represented about one quarter of the company's $950 mil. in total sales in 1991. However, on Dec. 16, Bergen announced that, having failed to receive an acceptable offer for the business and having assessed first quarter results and the contribution the medical business was making, the company had resolved to hold on to the business.