A record number of international takeovers were made in the Dutch healthcare sector last year, according to new research by consultancy Boer & Croon Corporate Finance (BCCF).

The companies involved in the 32 international acquisitions recorded in 2017 were mainly service providers, such as suppliers of medical software, laboratory services and medical aids.

‘We have known for some time that international companies are interested in the Dutch healthcare sector and that is now clearly reflected in the figures,’ says Dagma Enklaar, a partner with BCCF.

The total number of acquisitions, both national and international, grew from 81 in 2016 to 90 last year. That is in line with the trend in recent years, when the number of deals has been rising year by year.

However, there was a drop in the number of takeovers involving care homes and clinics – down from 43 in 2016 to 22 last year.

‘Takeovers in this sectors are a little more difficult because these companies are heavily regulated,’ Enklaar told the Financieele Dagblad. ‘Buyers are generally more circumspect if there is a lot of regulation and legislation, as has been the case here in recent years.’