CONMED LINVATEC EUROPE

Contact - Secretariat

ConMed Linvatec Europe
W.A. Mozartlaan, 3
1620 Drogenbos
Belgium

Tel.: +32 2 52605 60
Fax: +32 2 52605 72

[Website]

 

Presentation

ConMed Linvatec, located in Largo, Florida, is a developer and manufacturer of medical devices and disposable products. A global market share leader in Arthroscopy and Orthopedic Powered Instruments, over the years ConMed Linvatec has expanded its product lines to include ENT and Neuro Powered Instruments as well as Multi-Specialty Endoscopy Systems. Originally known as Concept, Inc., and incorporated in 1963 by Dr. Terry F. Tanner, ConMed Linvatec's history is rooted in its commitment to the research and development of innovative technology.

During the early 1980s, Concept began to focus on the orthopaedic and microsurgery markets. In 1983, a new product line - Electrosurgical Arthroscopy - was introduced for the examination and repair of joint structures.

Shutt Medical Technologies, originally located in San Dimas, California, was acquired by Concept in 1983. In July 1998, the Shutt facility was closed in California and transferred to Largo, Florida. Shutt® hand-held surgical instruments are known throughout the medical industry as being top-of-the-line.

In 1988 Concept moved to its present 200,000-square-foot site in Largo at the corner of Starkey and Bryan Dairy Roads.

New York-based Bristol-Myers Squibb Company bought Concept in 1990, and the Company name was changed to Linvatec Corporation in 1991. Linvatec, an acronym for Least Invasive Technologies, was chosen because it more accurately portrayed the broad range of least-invasive surgical products and services offered.

In late 1994, Bristol-Myers Squibb began the relocation of its Hall® Surgical division from Carpinteria, California, to Largo. Hall was begun in 1959 by Pittsburgh oral surgeon Dr. Robert Hall. Dr. Hall adapted air-powered tools for oral surgery and his first product, the Surgairtome® Powered Instrument, was introduced to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in 1963. Today, ConMed Linvatec's Hall Surgical product lines include battery, pneumatic and electric-powered surgical instruments which are used in open orthopaedic surgery and other surgical applications such as oral/maxillofacial, ENT, podiatry, cardiology, and neurosurgery.

In August 1996, Bristol-Myers Squibb acquired Envision Medical Corporation in Santa Barbara, California, to help complete Linvatec's broad line of arthroscopic and orthopaedic products. Envision, founded in 1991, was a leading developer and manufacturer of specialized imaging technology. Its products included VCRs, cameras, and couplers. Envision was renamed Linvatec Imaging in September 1998, and became known as ConMed Linvatec Endoscopy in 2005. The Endoscopy Division moved to its new facility in nearby Goleta, California, in March of 2006.

On December 31, 1997, CONMED Corporation, based in Utica, New York, purchased Linvatec. CONMED manufactures and distributes electrosurgical systems, heart-monitoring equipment and other medical products.

Linvatec purchased the 3M Arthroscopy Fluid Management business in November 1998, in order to increase important market share and continue to strengthen the business. Linvatec renamed its new line the 87k Arthroscopy Fluid Control System.

On August 11, 1999, Linvatec purchased the 3M Powered Surgical Instrument business headquartered in Irvine, California. This acquisition added important products complementary to Linvatec's existing powered surgical line. The division was renamed Linvatec Irvine and now, with its relocation to a new facility in Anaheim, California, is known as California Machining Operations.

In 2001, ConMed Linvatec began offering state-of-the-art operating rooms and surgical suites, known in the industry as Integrated Operating Rooms, to its customers when it teamed up with Beaverton, Oregon-based, Val Med. Val Med got its start in 1979 by focusing on improving the surgical environment for surgeons, nurses, and patients. In October 2002, CONMED purchased Val Med and a partner company in Montreal, Canada, called NorTrex, and renamed them ConMed Integrated Systems (CMIS). In the Spring of 2005, CMIS, with approximately 30 employees, formally joined the ConMed Linvatec family. CMIS continues to specialize in the design and installation of high tech surgical suites for hospitals and surgery centers that are highly efficient, ergonomically sound, and extremely user friendly.

In March 2003, CONMED purchased Bionx Implants, Inc. and it became a wholly-owned subsidiary. This division of the Company, located in Tampere, Finland, develops and manufactures Self-Reinforced, resorbable polymer implants including screws, pins and meniscal implants for use in a variety of orthopaedic procedures. Bionx was renamed ConMed Linvatec Biomaterials, Inc.

By formally adopting the CONMED name and logo in March of 2005, ConMed Linvatec is able to more effectively communicate the breadth of our value proposition throughout the multi-specialty OR arena, while retaining the connection to the reputation that accompanies the Linvatec name.

Today ConMed Linvatec continues to be a leading developer and manufacturer of orthopaedic arthroscopy products. It also manufactures products that serve the sports medicine, hand, podiatry and ENT markets, and other general surgery specialties. ConMed Linvatec's focus on arthroscopic and other less invasive medical devices is a prime example of its concern for cost-effective measures that can be passed on to patients all over the world.

ConMed Linvatec employs approximately 1000 people in Largo, nearly 150 employees located among its two California sites, and 30 employees in Oregon. In addition to Finland, the Company also employs approximately 200 - 250 international staff members who are located in eleven divisions around the world including Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, South Korea, Australia, Austria, Poland and the Netherlands.

 

 

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