THE transformation of Scholl footcare owner SSL International into a consumer products group has gathered pace with the break-up of its medical division.
The group, based in Knutsford, Cheshire, has agreed to sell its wound management section for £55m as it refocuses on brands including Scholl footcare products.
Under the terms of the deal, about 244 employees at a production facility in Oldham and at a warehouse in Manchester will transfer to new owners Medlock Medical. Medlock is a newly formed company backed by venture capital group Apax.
Proceeds will be used to reduce debts although SSL, which employs 220 staff at a plant in Peterlee, County Durham, said it expected to book a pre-tax loss of £8m after writing off goodwill and assets transferred.
Disposal of the wound management business, which had annual sales of £45m and generated pre-tax profits of £8m, is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
A spokesman said the Peterlee plant was firmly at the centre of SSL's core business.
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