On the 23rd, the board of directors at Norbel approved a proposal authorizing the chairman to evaluate investments in P&Q Pharmacy and Wholecome Pharmacy, with a total budget of NT$573 million. The plan includes acquiring more than 55% of P&Q’s pharmacy-related business and over 70% of Wholecome's chain pharmacy business. Norbel intends to sign letters of intent and discuss subsequent agreements.
According to the announcement, Norbel Baby (abbr.: Norbel) is looking to invest NT$363 million in P&Q Pharmacy’s medical equipment distribution business, aiming to secure more than 55% of its equity. Additionally, Norbel plans to invest NT$210 million to acquire more than 70% of Wholecome Pharmacy’s distribution business, which could involve companies like Wholecome Life or Jia-Hong Health.
Harry Yang, Chairman of Norbel, highlighted the company’s strategy to expand its pharmacy network in response to the growing silver economy, thereby enhancing its operational competitiveness.
Norbel became partially owned by Qisda/BenQ Group in April 2023 through a two-phase equity investment. Initially, Qisda participated in Norbel’s private placement at NT$150 per share, investing a total of NT$750 million to acquire a 14.27% stake. Qisda later conducted a public tender offer, purchasing Norbel’s common shares at NT$210 per share, bringing its total investment to approximately NT$1.8 billion, resulting in a 28.54% ownership stake. Harry Yang, who serves as Chairman of Norbel, is also the General Manager of the Medical Business Group at Qisda/BenQ.
Yang pointed out that Norbel’s Ding Ding Pharmacy, originally focused on maternal and baby products, has recently expanded its services to include offerings for the elderly, long-term care, and home medical equipment, catering to the diverse needs of an aging society.
In recent years, Ding Ding Pharmacy has been actively integrating upstream and downstream industries related to pharmacies, collaborating with companies like Best-Sound and BenQ Healthcare. It has also been continuously optimizing its existing business, providing a one-stop, trusted service for customers ranging from infants to seniors.
Ding Ding Pharmacy plans to implement a dual-engine growth strategy by expanding its stores and making strategic investments to further increase its market share. The company is also incorporating retail strategies, such as launching in-store hearing centers and Carrefour shop-in-shops, to accelerate the development and transformation of its pharmacy channels, thereby offering customers a richer and more diverse shopping experience.
Resource (mandarin): 擴大藥局版圖 諾貝兒擬砸5.73億投資專品、合康
