Mawdsley-Brooks & Co
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co. is a UK-based, family-owned pharmaceutical distributor serving NHS Secondary Care hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturers with hospital distribution, imported unlicensed medicines, GMP over-labelling, and third-party logistics (MPW), operating across the UK, Israel, Brazil, Belgium, and 134 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1825
- HeadquartersSalford, United Kingdom
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Mawdsley-Brooks & Co does
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co. Ltd. ("Mawdsleys") is the UK's largest independent pharmaceutical distributor dedicated to NHS Secondary Care, founded in 1825 and operated across six generations of the founding Mawdsley family with Harry Westall as Chairman (since 2020) and William Sanders as Group CEO. The company operates three integrated service lines: Secondary Care Services (hospital distribution, import of unlicensed medicines, and over-labelling); Pre-Wholesale (3PL under the MPW brand) providing pharmaceutical storage, fulfilment, reporting, and value-added services across MHRA-approved sites; and Pharma/International Services delivering named patient programmes, pharmacovigilance, and global distribution in 134 countries through wholly-owned subsidiaries in Israel (MBI, 2010), Brazil (MBB, 2013), and Belgium (Nadimed, 2023).
The technology platform comprises a proprietary Stream Go Transport Management System (real-time track and trace, sign-on-glass proof of delivery, live temperature monitoring), EDI integration (with documented SAP integration for Daiichi Sankyo enabling full order-to-cash), and customer-facing portals (Mawdsleys Online / E-Awards and 3PL Client Portal) supporting ordering, stock visibility, batch/expiry data, and stock forecasting. Dual temperature-controlled vehicles (ambient 15-25°C and cold-chain 2-8°C) operate in GDP-compliant fashion, with infrastructure including 390,000+ sq ft of MHRA-approved storage, 64,000+ pallet positions, and over-labelling capacity of 250,000+ packs per month.
Revenue is generated through multiple B2B streams: transaction-fee wholesale distribution of licensed and unlicensed pharmaceuticals to NHS hospitals; managed-services 3PL contracts for pharmaceutical manufacturers; professional-services over-labelling with QP release; and managed-services named patient programmes across UK, Brazil, and Israel. The company holds MHRA Wholesale Dealer Authorisations, Active Substance Authorisation, GMP certification, Net Zero certification, and NHS Evergreen Level 2 recognition. In 2018, Mawdsleys divested its community pharmacy wholesale business to DE Group to focus on NHS Secondary Care distribution and bespoke hospital solutions.
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mawdsley-Brooks & Co
- Legal name
- Mawdsley-Brooks & Co. Ltd.
- Website
- https://mawdsleys.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1825
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Mawdsley-Brooks & Co. is a UK-based, family-owned pharmaceutical distributor serving NHS Secondary Care hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturers with hospital distribution, imported unlicensed medicines, GMP over-labelling, and third-party logistics (MPW), operating across the UK, Israel, Brazil, Belgium, and 134 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pharmaceutical Distribution Services
- NAICS
- Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hospital & Health-System Pharmaceutical Distributors (HLAIAJAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Third-Party Logistics (3PL) & Warehousing for Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAJAL), Specialty Pharma & Biologics Distribution (GDP-compliant) (HLAGAMAD), Specialty Pharmaceutical Distributors (HLAIAJAB), Government & Public-Sector Pharmaceutical Supply (Tender/Prime Vendor) (HLAIAJAF)
Keywords
Where Mawdsley-Brooks & Co is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Salford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices8 records
Markets served
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Pharmaceutical Wholesale Distribution: Distribution of licensed and unlicensed pharmaceutical products to NHS hospitals and healthcare providers. Revenue generated through product distribution with no minimum order levels and daily deliveries.
- Third-Party Logistics (3PL): Pre-wholesale storage and logistics services for pharmaceutical companies including warehousing, order fulfillment, and distribution. Revenue generated through service fees for storage and logistics management.
- Over-labelling Services: Regulatory compliant relabelling and repacking services for pharmaceutical products with QP release.
- Named Patient Programmes: Specialist services for pharma companies to provide pre-license access to medicines in the UK, Brazil, and Israel markets.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co. (Mawdsleys) is the UK's largest independent pharmaceutical distributor dedicated to NHS Secondary Care, providing wholesale distribution of licensed and unlicensed medicines to hospitals. The company operates three core service lines: Secondary Care Services (hospital distribution, imported unlicensed medicines, over-labelling), Pre-Wholesale 3PL services (storage, logistics, fulfilment, value-added relabelling), and Pharma Services (named patient programmes, regulatory and pharmacovigilance services) for pharmaceutical manufacturers and biotech companies.
Product overview
Mawdsleys is the UK's largest independent pharmaceutical distributor dedicated to NHS Secondary Care. The company operates a platform of interconnected services spanning hospital distribution, imported unlicensed medicines, and over-labelling services under its Secondary Care Services division. Its MPW (Mawdsleys Pre Wholesale) 3PL division provides pharmaceutical storage, logistics and fulfilment, information reporting, order processing, and value-added services including GMP-compliant relabelling. The company operates its own Transport Management System (Stream Go) for real-time tracking and offers customer-facing portals (Mawdsleys Online/E-Awards and 3PL Client Portal) for ordering and account management. Mawdsleys Specialist Pharma division handles named patient programmes, regulatory affairs, and pharmacovigilance services for pharma companies across UK, Brazil, and Israel. The company also provides international distribution services to 134 countries through its global network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MPW (Mawdsleys Pre Wholesale): Third-party logistics (3PL) division providing pharmaceutical storage and distribution services to the healthcare industry.
- Mawdsleys Specialist Pharma
Products and services
- Hospital Distribution Specialist pharmaceutical distribution service for NHS Secondary Care hospitals. Provides contract and non-contract medicines, daily deliveries with no minimum order, dedicated account managers, EDI and online ordering, and same-day urgent deliveries.
- Imported Unlicensed Medicines
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% of customers say deliveries are reliable and carried out professionally
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Mawdsley-Brooks & Co
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature3 records
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- City Electrical FactorsminorPartner for EV charging infrastructure delivery at Redhouse distribution centre.
- Russell WBHOminorMain contractor for the expansion of Doncaster Redhouse facility doubling size to 300,000 sq ft.
- Sol Pv GroupminorSpecialist contractor for installation of 1,688kW PV array with 3,375 solar panels on Doncaster 3PL facility roof.
- WattstorminorSpecialist contractor for battery storage system (2,600kWh) at Doncaster facility.
- Heatworks LtdminorPartner for environmental improvements and EV charging infrastructure at Doncaster Redhouse facility.
- Beaumont LordminorPartner in construction project for Doncaster facility expansion.
- Inter CareminorCharity providing medical aid to Africa. Mawdsleys partnered with University Hospitals Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust to support medical aid shipments to Northern Malawi.
- IntoUniversity Salford CentralcoreMawdsleys is a cornerstone funder of IntoUniversity Salford Central - a partnership between IntoUniversity, University of Salford, and University of Manchester. The centre supports over 1,000 young people aged 7-18 annually.
- Daiichi Sankyo UK LtdcoreMPW (Mawdsleys Pre Wholesale) selected as 3PL logistics service provider. Successfully integrated Daiichi Sankyo's SAP IT systems with Mawdsleys' software enabling complete order to cash service.
- International Health Partners (IHP)coreIHP launched as an NGO focusing on healthcare in 2004. Mawdsleys works closely with IHP supporting their vital work including maternal health appeals and donating quality long-dated medicines.
- Healthcare Distribution Association (HDA) UKcoreMember of HDA UK, the trade association representing pharmaceutical wholesalers and distributors in the UK.
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves15 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Alliance Healthcare: UK pharmaceutical wholesaler and distributor serving pharmacies, hospitals, and manufacturers; directly comparable to Mawdsleys in hospital-channel distribution and offers competing 3PL and wholesale services across the UK.
- Nadimed: Belgian pharmaceutical distributor acquired by Mawdsleys in 2023; a directly comparable specialty pharma distributor operating in continental Europe and now part of Mawdsleys' group.
- Durbin PLC: UK-based specialist pharmaceutical distributor supplying unlicensed, orphan, and comparator medicines globally; a direct peer to Mawdsleys in imported unlicensed medicines and named-patient supply.
- DE Group (DE Pharma): European pharmaceutical distribution group that absorbed Mawdsleys' community pharmacy wholesale in 2018; directly comparable in pharma distribution and a current commercial counterparty for some NHS customers.
- Clinigen Group: Global pharmaceutical services company with comparators, unlicensed medicines, and clinical trial supply services; directly comparable to Mawdsleys' Specialist Pharma division in named patient and unlicensed medicine access.
Emerging players
- Biomapas: Pharmaceutical services company offering distribution, regulatory, and pharmacovigilance across Central and Eastern Europe; overlaps with Mawdsleys Specialist Pharma division's named patient and regulatory service offering.
- Specialised Therapeutics (ST Pharma): Specialty pharma distributor focused on hospital-channel and unlicensed/specialty medicines in European and emerging markets; comparable to Mawdsleys' imported unlicensed medicines and Named Patient Programmes.
Broad incumbents
- Phoenix Group: Pan-European pharmaceutical wholesale, distribution, and pharmacy group with UK wholesale operations; broader portfolio than Mawdsleys but a direct competitor in pharma distribution and 3PL.
- Walgreens Boots Alliance (Alliance Healthcare UK): Global healthcare and pharmacy group whose Alliance Healthcare UK business competes in pharmaceutical distribution, hospital supply, and pre-wholesale services.
Regional players
- Biopartners (Biopartners GmbH): European specialty biopharmaceutical distributor with focus on specialty and unlicensed medicines in DACH/Central Europe; comparable business model to Mawdsleys in specialty pharma distribution outside the UK.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat8 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co social profiles
Digital presenceMawdsley-Brooks & Co compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Mawdsley-Brooks & Co
What does Mawdsley-Brooks & Co do?
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co. (Mawdsleys) is the UK's largest independent pharmaceutical distributor dedicated to NHS Secondary Care, providing wholesale distribution of licensed and unlicensed medicines to hospitals. The company operates three core service lines: Secondary Care Services (hospital distribution, imported unlicensed medicines, over-labelling), Pre-Wholesale 3PL services (storage, logistics, fulfilment, value-added relabelling), and Pharma Services (named patient programmes, regulatory and pharmacovigilance services) for pharmaceutical manufacturers and biotech companies.
Is Mawdsley-Brooks & Co a public or private company?
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Mawdsley-Brooks & Co founded?
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co was founded in 1825. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Mawdsley-Brooks & Co based?
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co is headquartered in Salford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Mawdsley-Brooks & Co make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Pharmaceutical Wholesale Distribution is the primary driver. The others are third-Party Logistics (3PL), over-labelling Services and named Patient Programmes.
Who are Mawdsley-Brooks & Co's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Alliance Healthcare, Nadimed, Durbin PLC, DE Group (DE Pharma) and Clinigen Group. Emerging players are Biomapas and Specialised Therapeutics (ST Pharma). Broad incumbents are Phoenix Group and Walgreens Boots Alliance (Alliance Healthcare UK). Biopartners (Biopartners GmbH) is listed as a regional player.
Does Mawdsley-Brooks & Co have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mawdsley-Brooks & Co.
What industry is Mawdsley-Brooks & Co in?
Mawdsley-Brooks & Co's product category is Pharmaceutical Distribution Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAJAD, Hospital & Health-System Pharmaceutical Distributors, with a secondary code of HLAIAJAL, Third-Party Logistics (3PL) & Warehousing for Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 42421 and its SIC code is 5122.