9/3/2002
For Immediate Release
HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATES DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING EQUIPMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
CONTACT:
Philip E. Chang
1959 Summit Commerce Park
Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
800.800.3106 or 330.425.1313 Ext. 4510
330.425.1410 Fax
info@hitachimed.com
www.hitachimed.com
Twinsburg, Ohio – September 3, 2002 – Hitachi Medical Corporation (HMC) of Tokyo, Japan announced today that Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc. (HMSA) of Twinsburg, Ohio will assume the sales, marketing and service responsibilities for Hitachi Ultrasound products in the United States effective October 1, 2002.
This strategic decision consolidates all of Hitachi’s U.S. distribution of diagnostic imaging products under the control of Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc. HMSA began operations in 1989 when Hitachi’s Open MRI was introduced to the U.S. marketplace. Since that time, HMSA has developed a leadership position in “Open” MRI with over 1,200 installations throughout the United States. HMSA also distributes the Direct Digital Radiography products of Swissray International and has recently entered the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging market with the introduction of the SceptreTM system from CPS Innovations combined with HMSA’s AVIATM workstation.
Hitachi Medical Corporation of America (HMCA) in Tarrytown, New York previously sold HMC’s Ultrasound products. Activities will be terminated at this location on the effective date. According to Richard L. Ernst, President and CEO of HMSA, “This strategic move has been made in order that Hitachi Ultrasound products can take advantage of the greater resources and stronger market reputation of HMSA.” Mr. Ernst continued, “By putting all U.S. distribution into HMSA, Hitachi Ultrasound customers will benefit from our nationwide support organization. On the sales side, the products can benefit from the strong customer relationships we’ve built in our other imaging modalities.” HMSA plans to expand the existing Ultrasound distribution capabilities to better address the $1.0 billion plus market opportunity presented by Ultrasound.
Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc. markets advanced medical imaging products to meet a variety of healthcare needs, including premium, high performance magnetic resonance imaging products of Hitachi Medical Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. HMSA has established a leadership position in Open MR imaging with more than 1,200 systems installed throughout the United States and over 2,300 worldwide.
Direct Digital Radiography has become the accepted standard in the high throughput x-ray sector and, through a relationship with Swissray, HMSA has assumed a market leadership position. In addition, HMSA has teamed-up with CPS Innovations, the market leader in developing dedicated clinical PET technology.
