Montréal, Québec, September 30, 2013 - The Médicus Group (« Médicus ») announced today that it is acquiring Oxybec Santé-confort (« Oxybec »), a Corporation specializing in daily life aids as well as autonomy and mobility support equipments. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Since 1988, Oxybec developed an expertise in the support of the ageing persons or in loss of autonomy by the sale, rental and after sale service of orthopedic and medical equipments. The Corporation offers latest technology products, insures the training of its personnel to meet the growing needs of the Québec clientele for the institutional and the private sectors, while adopting a responsible and fair behavior.
Jacinte Bleau, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, declared: "We are aware of the growing needs of an ageing customer base in Québec and the upcoming "Livre blanc" in the home care organization. The expertise of Mr. Christian Fabi and the Oxybec team adds to the Médicus know-how in order to better develop this market keeping in mind its quest for excellence".
Christian Fabi, for his part, said: "We are proud to partner with Médicus and The Jean Coutu Group who share our values and are highly concerned with offering high quality products and services. The sharing of the two companies' expertise will benefit our customers. Autonomy is security at home, the prevention of falls, the secure adaptation of the home, the fitting of a bathroom as well as bringing technical support to the people with reduced mobility or loss of autonomy".
Following this transaction, The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) inc. and the Bleau family each own 47.5% of the Corporation and Christian Fabi owns 5%.
About Médicus
Médicus operates a network of 13 stores in Québec (under the banners of Médicus and Médicus Sport), manufactures and distributes a wide range of orthopedic devices and rehabilitation and comfort products to orthopedic and prosthetic laboratories, rehabilitation establishments, as well as to health care and physical activity professionals. The corporation works in close cooperation with many doctors and health care professionals in state-of-the-art biomedical technology research and development and employs close to 170 people. Médicus is the leading private sector employer of orthotist & prosthetist graduates in Québec.
About Oxybec
Oxybec offers services for the institutional and private sectors in the supplying of products for at home care. The modification of a home to render it adequate and secure is also one of their specialties. This company in business for the last 25 years offers its services to institutions of various agencies, CLSC and at home for the sale, rental, repairs and installation of specialised equipment and furniture.
About the Jean Coutu Group
The Jean Coutu Group is one of the most trusted names in Canadian pharmacy retailing. The Corporation operates a network of 411 franchised stores located in the provinces of Québec, New Brunswick and Ontario under the banners of PJC Jean Coutu, PJC Clinique, PJC Santé and PJC Santé Beauté, and employs close to 19,000 people. Furthermore, the Jean Coutu Group owns Pro Doc Ltd, a Québec-based subsidiary and manufacturer of generic drugs.
Le Groupe Médicus Inc.
Louise Raymond
Communications Manager
(514) 525-3757 ext. 139