Debt Overhang, Strong Dollar Won't Slow Growth Says VWR CEO

VWR Corporation will continue to grow through acquisitions and the strong dollar is not weighing down the lab equipment seller in Europe, said the company's CEO Manuel Brocke-Benz. Brocke-Benz added that the company's pharmaceutical division has been its fastest grower. With regard to its acquisition strategy, Brocke-Benz said VWR buys regional players mostly in special situations and prices have not risen prohibitively. VWR is still heavily owned by private equity player Madison Dearborn, which Brocke-Benz calls a very supportive partner. Finally, he said VWR has a manageable leverage ratio and has been working down its debt load.