Since acquisition Metropolis strength in Gujarat has grown four times
Metropolis has completed acquisition of four Individual laboratories in Gujarat. The company enjoys a strong network in Gujarat through its fully owned subsidiary, Desai Laboratories, acquired in 2007. Since the acquisition, the network strength in Gujarat has grown four times. Metropolis currently operates 13 labs in Gujarat at Ahmadabad, Surat, Baroda, Mehsana, Rajkot, Navsari, Jamnagar and Gandhidham. In addition, its patient service network consists of 300 centres and is spread across the key cities in Gujarat.
Metropolis has a track record of acquiring and successfully integrating companies to grow its portfolio of laboratory and service network. It has acquired several companies since 2002, which includes established local chains such as Sudharma Metropolis Health Services in Kerala and Golwilkar Metropolis Health Services in Pune as well as companies outside India. Metropolis has integrated these businesses by bringing in standard operating procedures and standardised machines thereby improving quality parameters and resulting in operational efficiency.
In addition, Metropolis’ asset-light model for growing its service network has worked well. Besides setting up fully owned patient service centres, they have significantly expanded their service network by contracting with other partners, to service individual patients. They also provide home collection service which allows for collection of samples from patient’s house. For catering to the requirements of their institutional customers, they have set up pick-up points and referral centres.
“Many industry reports have cited that consolidation is a way forward for the diagnostic industry and large national players are set to benefit from this consolidation. Metropolis with its successful track record of consolidation and integrating businesses is at an advantage,” said Ameera Shah, Promoter and Managing Director, Metropolis Healthcare.
Adding to the statement, Dr Pranav Desai, Chief Pathologist, Desai Metropolis said “Desai Laboratories has a strong heritage of 50 plus years of operation in Surat. When we merged with Metropolis in 2007, we got ten times stronger in terms of infrastructure, quality and operating efficiency. We will only continue to grow stronger going forward with this consolidation and network growth.”