TAC Healthcare acquires majority stake in International SOS business

Aberdeen-based TAC Healthcare has bought a 90% stake in rival firm International SOS’ occupational health business in Scotland.

The move will see the firms merge within the next six months and rebrand as TAC Medical Services.

It is understood it could lead to some job losses but it is not known how many.

There are currently 150 TAC staff based in Aberdeen and 225 at International SOS.

TAC Healthcare business development manager Susan Reid said: “It has been in discussion for quite a few months.

“We were making waves in the industry and had taken on a lot of big contracts in our first year.

“As we started to grow, conversations between Phil (TAC chief executive) and the International SOS people opened up and that’s where it came from.

“Business as usual at the minute but we will look at integrating the business into one so there will be some headcount that will be lost depending on what we do.

“But it’s early stages looking at that and trying to understand what they do and what we do.”

TAC provides a host of medical services including fitness to work assessments, offshore medics and Covid testing. In 2021 it invested more £2 million in the design and development of a bespoke occupational health facility and software platform, and the expansion of its team.

It also included investment this year on further diagnostics and an MRI scanner.

The company’s Dyce facility, in Wellheads Drive, provides a hub for patients to access imaging, exercise testing, physiotherapy, laboratory services and advice.

Chief executive Phil Webb said: “We have seen rapid growth thanks to our excellent customer service coupled with highquality solutions in wellbeing and clinical services.

“This partnership will be beneficial to our customers as we deliver best-in-class occupational health solutions, locally with TAC Healthcare and globally with SOS.”

Businesses on the west coast are being urged to pitch for work on a first-of-its-kind £60 million salmon farm in Loch Linnhe.

Loch Long Salmon (LLS) is in the early stages of planning and engagement for its project at Lurignish, near picturesque Castle Stalker between Appin and Duror.

It would bring semiclosed containment salmon farming to Scotland for the first time.

A supply chain event will take place next week at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (Sams) at Dunbeg, near Oban.

It is open to businesses which already work in the aquaculture sector, as well as potential new entrants.

LLS managing director Stewart Hawthorn said: “The salmon farming industry is already a key part of the economy in rural communities.

“This project and others we are planning will build on that, adding to the fantastic opportunities provided by aquaculture companies already operating across Argyll and Bute.”

Mr Hawthorn added: “The semi-closed containment technology we are proposing for our site at Lurignish, Loch Linnhe, has been proven commercially in Norway, Canada and the Faroe Islands.

“While there are some elements that differ to existing systems in operation there are a lot of technical similarities.

“We know businesses here have the right expertise and skills to help.

“I hope we see a range of businesses from the area so they can hear about our plans and we can better understand the local supply chain, allowing us to maximise the economic benefits of this transformative technology for this region and the rest of Scotland.”

In semi-closed systems, the conventional salmon farm net is completely enclosed by an impermeable and opaque marine fabric. The secondary barrier prevents sea lice from getting into the pens, stops seals from seeing the farmed fish and traps most of the salmon faeces and uneaten feed.

The salmon waste can then be brought ashore and used in green energy production or as a fertiliser ingredient.

Next Wednesday’s information session, 2-5pm, in the William Spiers Bruce Conference Suite at Sams, is being organised in partnership with Lochaber Chamber of Commerce.

Frazer Coupland, the business group’s chief executive, said: “It’s encouraging to see this investment and technology advancements at the forefront.

“I’m looking forward to attending this event, and urge businesses to come along and support this project moving forward.”

Any business interested in attending should email Mark Shotter at mark. shotter@simplybluegroup. com

Phil Webb.