Acquisition

Esaote Group Acquires Kontron Medical from Fukuda Denshi

The agreement is for the sale of 100 per cent of Kontron SAS to Esaote France

Fukuda Denshi Co, Ltd, manufacturer and distributor of medical equipment based in Tokyo and the Esaote Group, one of the world's leading producers of medical diagnostic systems, have signed the agreement for the sale of 100 per cent of Kontron SAS to Esaote France, the French subsidiary of the Esaote Group.

Kontron Medical is one of the leading manufacturers and distributors in France of medical diagnostic equipment, such as ultrasound scanners and patient monitoring systems. The company was created through the merger of Hoffman La Roche's medical imaging department and Dassault's monitoring department in 1970. Kontron Medical has been an innovator in the ultrasound field for over 35 years and has kept a state-of-the art know-how throughout the years while becoming a strong, reliable and technological player in the field of the medical devices. Kontron Medical is headquartered in Plaisir, near Paris, France, where it conducts most of its manufacturing, sales and marketing, service, administration and logistics functions.

Esaote, with a consolidated turnover exceeding 260 million euro in 2006 - of which approximately 60 per cent generated on international markets - is leader in the sector of biomedical equipment (in particular, ultrasound, dedicated magnetic resonance and software to manage the diagnostic process). In December 2006, the Esaote Group was employing approximately 1100 people, of which over 220 in Research and Development. Esaote, present with its industrial and research units in Italy (Genoa, Florence, Naples) and the Netherlands (Maastricht), as of 2004 established a joint-venture in China for the production of ultrasound scanners. Established in 1993 Esaote France distributes ultrasound scanners, dedicated MRI systems and supplies after-sale service as well.

Said Carlo Castellano, Chairman and CEO, Esaote, "France represents a strategic country in the field of medical imaging and the purchase of Kontron Medical confirms Esaote's willingness to strengthen its leadership position on the European market.

EH News Bureau