After snapping up two event management companies in the past 12 months, United Drug, a leading international provider of services to healthcare manufacturers and pharmaceutical retailers, is to merge them to form UniversalProcon, which it hopes will become “a powerful player in the world of healthcare event management”.

The new company, which will come into being on 1 October, will be created from the transatlantic provider of healthcare meetings and events Universal CIT, and one of the UK’s leading conference and event management agencies Procon. Universal was purchased by United Drug in April this year, while Procon was bought in November 2007.

The move will combine the expertise of both companies, ranging from venue finding and event logistics, through to creative marketing, production and travel services. The new business will operate from the two UK offices in Harrogate and Slough, as well as three in the US located at Stamford, Indianapolis and Orlando.

Universal’s current managing director, Mike Ford, who will head up the new operation, said: “We truly believe that by coming together, UniversalProcon will be the leading healthcare full-service event management agency, providing a wider range of services to a growing audience spanning the UK, US, Europe and beyond.”