AAH Pharmaceuticals

AAH originated in 1892, when Cleeves Company was formed in Wales, owning about 7,000 acres of land. It merged with two local companies, Gurnos and Gellveeidrim, to form Amalgamated Anthracite Collieries Limited.

From mid-1925 to at least the end of 1926, all coal mining activities in England had ceased, resulting in major financial problems for the industry.[3] This was a driving force behind the eventual merger with United Anthracite Collieries Limited.[3] On 1 July 1927, the company merged with United to become known as A.A.C Anthracite, based at 120 Fenchurch Street.

AAH's original business was producing and distributing anthracite and other solid fuels across South Wales. The company later diversified its interests in different markets including health services, building materials, transport, warehousing and environmental services (landscape conservation and waste disposal). In 1954, it was agreed to change the company name to Amalgamated Anthracite Holdings Limited (AAH). In early 1971 the company abbreviated its name to AAH Limited.

In 1976, AAH sold off its interests in fuel and building materials. Healthcare services became the company's main business activity. AAH expanded its pharmaceutical interest by taking over a large number of businesses including Chemists Holding and Hills Pharmaceuticals.

In 1985 AAH acquired pharmaceutical wholesaler Vestric Limited from Glaxo P.L.C., which continued the company's growth and led to the formation of AAH Pharmaceuticals Limited.

In 1991, AAH arranged to distribute drugs marketed by ICI to hospitals in Britain, while ICI retained distribution logistics to pharmacies in the country.[4]

In 1999 the headquarters moved to Coventry, where it remains as of 2023.

The AAH group has several branches. The Enterprise branch sells health and beauty products to over 5,000 independent pharmacies in the UK. The Trident branch is a shortline supplier to independent pharmacies in the UK.

It has 19 depots around the UK including locations in Belfast, Glasgow, and Sussex.[5]

• List of pharmaceutical manufacturers in the United Kingdom

• Whiteside, R. H., ed. (1993). Major Companies of Europe 1993/94. Vol. 2: Major Companies of the United Kingdom (13th ed.). London: Graham & Trotman (Kluwer). p. 4. ISBN 978-94-010-6656-3 – via Google Books (Preview).
  • See also 1992 (Vol 2, page 4) and 1991 (Vol 2, page 4)
• Records of Annual General Meetings of the Amalgamated Anthracite Collieries, Limited
  • "Sir Alfred Mond's Review". The Times. London. 21 November 1924. Retrieved 7 December 2019 – via Digitalisierung der Pressearchive von HWWA und IfW.
  • "Sir Alfred Mond's Speech". The Times. London. 29 October 1925. Retrieved 7 December 2019 – via Digitalisierung der Pressearchive von HWWA und IfW.
  • "Sir Alfred Mond on the Outlook". The Times. London. 18 December 1926. Retrieved 7 December 2019 – via Digitalisierung der Pressearchive von HWWA und IfW.

• AAH
• Celesio UK
• Documents and clippings about AAH Pharmaceuticals in the 20th Century Press Archives of the ZBW