Bunzl buys safety businesses in US and Italy

Distribution giant Bunzl has bought two safety businesses in the US and Italy for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisitions of Kishigo and Neri will expand the FTSE 100 company’s operations in the safety sector in both North America and Continental Europe.

California-based ML Kishigo sells high visibility clothing and other safety related workwear to distributors throughout the US and generated revenue of $34m in 2016.

Neri, which is based near Bologna, supplies personal protection equipment, including gloves, footwear and workwear, to distributors and end users in Italy, and generated revenue of €47m in 2016.

Bunzl chief executive Frank van Zanten said: "ML Kishigo's ability to provide customised solutions for their customers will bring additional expertise and an extended product portfolio to our existing safety business in the US, while the acquisition of Neri takes us into this important market in Italy for the first time."