Bunzl Acquires UK Care-Home Distributor Blueleaf Care
The acquisition adds a £58 million specialist care supplier serving more than 5,000 UK care homes to Bunzl’s distribution portfolio.
Bunzl has acquired 100% of Blueleaf Care, a specialist distributor of products and equipment to care and nursing homes across the UK.
Announced on 8 October, the acquisition strengthens Bunzl’s presence in the UK care-home market. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Blueleaf generated £58 million in revenue during 2025. Its product range includes everyday consumables, cleaning products, continence care, equipment, furniture and personal protective equipment.
The company has operated for almost 40 years and currently supports more than 5,000 care homes across the UK. Alongside product distribution, Blueleaf provides specialist advice and support to care providers through its customer service and sector teams. www.blueleafcare.com
Blueleaf also operates an online store where customers can browse products, access their accounts and place orders.
Blueleaf will retain its existing brand
Bunzl said Blueleaf is highly complementary to its existing operations and will broaden the products and services the group can provide to customers in the care sector.
Frank van Zanten, chief executive officer of Bunzl, said the acquisition would strengthen the group’s position in the UK market.
“Blueleaf is a high-quality business that further strengthens our position in the attractive UK care home market.”
“The combination of the two businesses will broaden our customer proposition and provide opportunities to leverage our scale and capabilities,” he added. “We look forward to supporting the business in its next phase of growth.” www.bunzl.com
Blueleaf will continue operating under its existing name. The company said its people, values and commitment to customers would remain unchanged following the change in ownership.
Nick Frogbrook, chief executive officer of Blueleaf, described the acquisition as an important milestone for the company.
“Becoming part of Bunzl provides a strong platform for future growth while allowing us to continue delivering the expertise, service and support our customers value.”
Frogbrook said Blueleaf had built its reputation by focusing on the specific needs of the care sector, investing in its employees and placing customers at the centre of the business.
Bunzl continues acquisition strategy
Bunzl is an international distribution and services group operating across North America, Continental Europe, the UK and Ireland, and other international markets.
The company supplies a broad range of products that customers require to operate their businesses but do not typically manufacture themselves. Its markets include foodservice, grocery, cleaning and hygiene, safety, healthcare and retail.
Acquisitions remain an important part of Bunzl’s growth strategy, particularly in fragmented specialist distribution markets. The group said in its half-year results that its acquisition pipeline remained active and that it expected activity to increase during the second half of 2026. www.bunzl.com
Blueleaf now joins Bunzl’s portfolio as a specialist UK care-sector business, retaining its established brand and customer relationships while gaining access to the resources and capabilities of the wider group.