Occupational health and wellbeing specialist PAM Group has acquired a business which provides mobile health screening services to companies across the UK and Ireland.

MedProtect is the latest addition to Warrington-headquartered PAM Group's portfolio as it continues to expand through organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

Founded in 2003 by Ian and Louise Hutchinson, MedProtect also has its headquarters in Warrington. The business employs seven staff and has annual revenues approaching £1m. It will continue to trade under its own brand as part of the PAM Health division of PAM Group. The acquisition was completed for an undisclosed sum.

James Redshaw, of law firm Hill Dickinson's corporate team in Manchester, advised PAM Group on the transaction.

MedProtect provides occupational health screening to large and small companies across a range of industries, with a strong presence in the automotive sector and those where employees are exposed to hazardous substances such as fume, dust or chemicals, or are operating in noisy environments.

Through its mobile screening units kitted out with the latest specialist equipment, it carries out a range of tests, including ones for lung function, dermatitis, hearing and Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Its operations are overseen by an occupational nurse and physician, who make referrals and recommendations for further action where necessary.

James Murphy, founder and chief executive of PAM Group, said:

"Ian and Louise have done a fantastic job building the business. MedProtect has been offering cost-effective, high-quality workplace health screening for 20 years, with services which are tailor-made to suit specific requirements.

"Our mission at PAM Group is to work with clients to make their workplaces healthier and improve employee safety and wellbeing. MedProtect aligns with these goals and is a great fit for us. We are thrilled that its team will be bringing their vast experience and knowledge to the group."

He added:

"We see lots of potential for MedProtect to expand, and will be investing to grow it significantly over the next few years. As well as giving us the opportunity to provide the PAM Group customer base with additional services, it also enables us to offer our extensive range of group-wide services to MedProtect's clients.

"Alongside sustained organic expansion, we continue to seek strategic bolt-on acquisitions to further strengthen our offering in line with our growth ambitions."

Ian Hutchinson said:

"Everyone at MedProtect is very excited about the opportunities for the business and our clients now that we have joined PAM Group.

"This combination will not only mean the doubling in size of our mobile clinic operations. It will also give us the ability to offer our clients far more services and support from across the wider group, with additional personnel on the administrative side who are highly motivated and proficient at providing solutions for requirements in occupational health, vaccinations, consumable supplies and laboratory services."

PAM Group, which employs more than 700 people, is one of the largest occupational health, employee assistance programme and wellbeing providers in the UK.

It offers a range of integrated services to public and private sector clients, supporting more than a million employees at over 1,000 businesses and organisations. The group's services include absence management, physiotherapy, employee assistance programmes, psychological support, corporate health assessments and neurodiversity assessments, drug and alcohol screening.

The group also has a retail arm which supplies fitness, exercise and rehabilitation equipment to consumers, sports clubs and sports and physiotherapy professionals.

PAM is backed by private equity firm LDC to support its growth and the launch of new products and services.

Previous acquisitions include Concept Northern, based in East Kilbride near Glasgow, which is a specialist provider of neurodiversity assessments and assistive technology for people with conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome, dyspraxia, autism and Tourette's.

In 2021, PAM Group acquired 66Fit, a consumer-focused retailer of exercise, fitness and rehabilitation equipment, and Physio Supplies, a specialist provider of sports, physiotherapy and rehabilitation equipment to professionals and sports clubs.