Metropolitan Medical acquired by Sarnova

Sarnova, Inc., the nation's leading specialty distributor of health care products in the emergency medical services (EMS) and respiratory markets, announced today that it has acquired Metropolitan Medical, Inc. Metropolitan Medical is a medical products supplier serving the mid-Atlantic region. Sarnova plans to merge Metropolitan Medical with its Tri-anim Health Services brand, which specializes in respiratory and anesthesia products for the acute care market.

The privately negotiated transaction further expands Sarnova's portfolio of medical products and broadens its national distribution network. The acquisition is the second that Sarnova has completed since partnering with Water Street Healthcare Partners, a leading private equity firm focused exclusively on health care, in 2008 to create the company by merging Tri-anim with Bound Tree Medical.

"Our number one goal is to support our customers in caring for their patients," said Hank Struik, president and CEO of Sarnova. "Metropolitan Medical shares our passion for going above and beyond to serve our customers. Together, we offer our customers the widest array of high-quality medical products and technologies, and a team of highly trained professionals to assist them with selecting products that best meet the unique needs of their patients."

Don Morley, co-owner and president of Metropolitan Medical added, "My partner and I couldn't think of a better company to acquire our business. Tri-anim's reputation and commitment to acute care providers is unmatched in the industry. Its professional and experienced sales force will ensure our customers and vendors receive excellent service."

Since Water Street's investment in Sarnova last year, the company has grown to become the nation's leading specialty health care distributor, offering more than 100,000 products to thousands of emergency medical providers, hospitals and acute care centers across the country.

"Our plan is to further extend Sarnova's leadership position by building on its strong foundation of premier distribution brands," said Kevin Swan, a member of Sarnova's board of directors and a partner with Water Street. "Acquiring Metropolitan Medical accomplishes another building block in our plan to further enhance the breadth of Sarnova's products and expand its national distribution network. We are actively pursuing additional acquisitions that will create greater long-term value for the company, its customers and employees."