Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI Quick QuoteDCI - Free Report) has acquired Nivelles, Belgium-based Univercells Technologies from Gamma Biosciences and Univercells SA in an all-cash deal of €136 million ($147.7 million). Univercells provides biomanufacturing solutions for cell and gene therapy research, development and commercial production.

The acquisition expands Donaldson’s growing offering in the life sciences industry. Also, Univercells’ engineered systems align with Donaldson’s preceding life sciences buyouts as well as the company’s increasing range of organic products.

Univercells will be added to Donaldson’s Life Sciences segment. The buyout is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Acquisitions have been Donaldson's preferred mode of business expansion to date. The company acquired Durham, NC-based early-stage biotechnology company Isolere Bio in February this year. The Isolere buyout enables Donaldson to create leading separation and filtration solutions for emerging genetic-based drugs. Donaldson’s filtration excellence, together with Isolere’s affinity-phase separation technology, provides end-to-end solutions to the life sciences industry.

Donaldson's buyout of Purilogics, LLC (June 2022) strengthened its life sciences portfolio by leveraging Purilogics’ unique product offerings.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

DCI currently carries Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked companies from the Industrial Products sector are discussed below:

Ingersoll Rand Inc. (IR Quick QuoteIR - Free Report) presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks.

IR delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 12.6%, on average. In the past 60 days, estimates for Ingersoll Rand’s 2023 earnings have increased 6.7%. The stock has improved 23.3% in the year-to-date period.

Alamo Group Inc. (ALG Quick QuoteALG - Free Report) currently flaunts a Zacks Rank of 1. ALG delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 17.7%, on average.

In the past 60 days, estimates for Alamo’s 2023 earnings have increased 12.7%. The stock has gained 28.9% in the year-to-date period.

Axon Enterprise (AXON Quick QuoteAXON - Free Report) sports a Zacks Rank of 1 at present. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 44.4%, on average.

In the past 60 days, estimates for Axon’s 2023 earnings have increased 13%. The stock has rallied 18.1% in the year-to-date period.