Hills Limited has boosted its health industry operations with the acquisition of another Australian business, Questek.
The Questek business, established 20 years ago and now with a presence in all Australian states, designs and manufactures nurse call systems and general healthcare monitoring systems.
It has recently emerged with a substantial position in the widening market for patient infotainment systems.
Questek’s state-of-the-art systems are already installed in some 600 aged care facilities throughout Australia and more than 50 hospitals.
The acquisition of Questek builds on Hills expanding health solutions division which includes the market-leading Merlon Health Communications and HTR (Hospital Television Rentals) businesses, both acquired late last year.
Peta Jurd, Head of Hills Health Solutions, said the Questek acquisition was expected to be earnings per share accretive in the first full year (FY15) after completion of the transaction.
“This is another great strategic fit for our health solutions business,” Jurd said.
“It is the market leader in wireless nurse call solutions, has respected, long-term customer relationships, and a new solution in entertainment through a partnership with Stellar Entertainment.”
Hills has also inked a new long-term agreement to supply FOXTEL with satellite dishes and associated electronic equipment throughout key Australian states and territories.
The new agreement broadens the previous Hills-FOXTEL contract to now include regional areas in all Australian states and territories except Western Australia.
The previous agreement was for the supply of satellite dishes and low noise blocks (LNBs) for key metropolitan areas across Australian cities.
Hills has been the major supplier of satellite dishes and associated electronics in Australia since FOXTEL began providing its Direct-To-Home (DTH) satellite subscription service.
“This new FOXTEL agreement strengthens our longstanding relationship with one of our largest and most valued customers,” Hills Group Managing Director and CEO, Mr Ted Pretty, said today.
“It cements our position as the largest supplier of 65cm and 80cm satellite dishes and LNBs in Australia, including FOXTEL as the nation’s largest subscription TV provider.”
Pretty said Hills has been at the forefront of producing and supplying satellite dishes to Australian and international markets for more than 15 years.
The group’s satellite dish production is by the Hills Antenna & TV Systems business.
