10/15/1999
For Immediate Release
HITACHI MEDICAL SYSTEMS AMERICA, INC. ESTABLISHES SOUTH AMERICAN SALES AND SERVICE ORGANIZATION
CONTACT:
Sheldon Schaffer
Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc.
1959 Summit Commerce Park
Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
800.800.3106
330.425.1313
330.425.1410 FAX
info@hitachimed.com
www.hitachimed.com
Twinsburg, Ohio - Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc. (HMSA) announced the establishment of Hitachi Medical Systems South America, Inc. (HMSSA). HMSSA is a joint venture between HMSA, Hitachi Medical Corporation of Japan and Mitsui of Japan. HMSA owns 70% of the joint venture and manages HMSSA from their U.S. headquarters in Twinsburg, Ohio.
HMSSA has begun selling magnetic resonance and computed tomography diagnostic imaging equipment in Brazil through its direct sales and service organization, Hitachi Sistemas Medicos do Brasil (HMSB) located in Sao Paulo, Hitachi's first medical subsidiary in South America. "Expansion into other South American markets is a possibility," said Richard L. Ernst, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc.
"Our initial target will be the Open MRI market in Brazil with our AIRIS® family of permanent magnet systems. We are the market leader in this growing segment in the US and feel that the Brazilian market offers similar opportunities," added Mr. Ernst. Hitachi kicked off the Brazilian venture with the introduction of its CT and MR products at the Brazilian Radiology Congress in Sao Paulo from October 9-12.
Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc. has established a leadership position in Open MRI with more than 750 systems installed throughout the United States and 1,900 worldwide. Since the company first popularized the concept of Open MR, it has been the fastest growing segment of MRI, and today accounts for about 50 percent of all MRI system sales.
