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A pair of North East entrepreneurs have taken their first steps into the healthcare sector after snapping up a Teesside equipment supplier.

Richard and Julie Bennett, owners of regional print and design firm Newcastle Print Solutions (NPS), have purchased Caremore Services of Redcar from directors Peter Moore and David Caley for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition has followed on from the Bennetts, who were the founders of Derwentside Environmental Testing, being asked by NPS clients during the pandemic to use their contacts in the scientific sector to source items of personal protective equipment (PPE) that were proving difficult to find.

Caremore Services provides medical and janitorial products to regional clients in the healthcare and care home sector, as well as a range of other items, including electric profiling beds, shower chairs, medical hoists, lifting slings, pressure reducing and relieving products and furniture.

Mr Bennett said “Since acquiring NPS three years ago, we’ve focused on providing an extensive range of commercial print to customers both within and outside the North East, but as the pandemic hit, they began to ask us for help in sourcing much needed PPE as supplies were scarce and difficult to access.

“With our scientific background and contacts, it was an area in which we had quite a bit of knowledge, and we were able to obtain the items that our customers needed.

“As soon as we became aware that Caremore Services was up for sale, we jumped at the chance to acquire it as it was a perfect strategic fit for our business and allowed us to formalise our entry into the healthcare sector.

“The business has developed a strong reputation for the supply of goods and services to the healthcare sector over many years that is based on trust and dependable delivery, and we’re confident that we can build on this to make it even more successful.”