In-market team will serve hospitals, physicians and patients more effectively in these key markets contributing towards public health by offering better access to life-defining medical devices
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 9 April 2019 – Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:MMSI), a leading manufacturer and marketer of proprietary disposable devices used primarily in the interventional, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care and endoscopy, today announced it is opening an office in Johannesburg to better support its hospital and healthcare customer base in Africa.
Scott de Oliveira General Manager, Africa, will lead a team covering full operations, customer service, and sales support of 40 people in Johannesburg. The team’s in-market presence will help expand and develop Merit’s product and service reach across Africa and to provide better healthcare for patients.
Exponential growth internationally
Merit has demonstrated impressive growth since it was first founded in 1987 and has been expanding rapidly over the past couple of years, both in footprint and acquisition. The company continues to show steady, long-term above-average growth. Its stock price performance has more than doubled in the last five years, and it maintains a market cap of roughly $3bn USD. Last year, Merit demonstrated 20 percent growth on its top line, while this year, it is on target for 24 percent growth. Merit employs approximately 6,000 people worldwide and maintains a global manufacturing, distribution, and customer service footprint.
Africa’s market share
“Merit already demonstrates a commitment to healthcare in the African market, and so it makes perfect sense to develop closer relationships with our customers and partners to bring them a direct offering and commitment to the market,” says de Oliveira. “With our office in Johannesburg, South Africa will be the hub for all of our business across the rest of Africa.”
It’s no secret that there are increasing pressures on the medical device industry, which can be competitive in South Africa,” continued de Oliveira. “Merit remains focused on being the closest point of sale for our customers globally, and with our continued focus on quality, innovation, and the trust of our customers, we see a real opportunity to bring improved healthcare to markets here.”
Full range of products for the African market
The full range of Merit products will be available in Africa, including cardiology, radiology, women’s health, spine, and embolics.
Supporting African healthcare
Understanding this is a vast market where a large majority of the population relies on the public healthcare system, Merit will continue to focus much of its attention on its educational and training programmes, servicing teaching hospitals which have become the backbone of the healthcare industry here. Moreover, Merit supports its customers and partners with its long-standing educational and awareness programmes such as ThinkRadial (a platform focused on the radial approach), ThinkPAE (an educational course for prostate artery embolisation) and ThinkAccess (physicians trained by physicians).
“Merit is a company with great ambitions – we invest a significant portion of sales revenue back into the company to foster growth, research, development, education and innovation to help bring products and solutions to market that have a real impact on saving lives,” said Fred P. Lampropoulos, Chairman and CEO of Merit. “We have always set out to be bold and different, but with a certain ‘staying power’ that shows our long-term commitment. This is no different for the African market. This is a very strategic market for us, and our new presence here is critical as we continue to expand our geographic footprint across the EMEA region.”
More information about the full Merit product line can be found at Merit Medical’s website.
ABOUT MERIT
Founded in 1987, Merit Medical Systems, Inc. is engaged in the development, manufacture and distribution of proprietary disposable medical devices used in interventional, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care and endoscopy. Merit serves client hospitals worldwide with a domestic and international sales force and clinical support team totaling in excess of 300 individuals. Merit employs approximately 6,000 people worldwide with facilities in South Jordan, Utah; Pearland, Texas; Richmond, Virginia; Malvern, Pennsylvania; Rockland, Massachusetts; San Jose and Aliso Viejo, California; Maastricht and Venlo, The Netherlands; Paris, France; Galway, Ireland; Beijing, China; Tijuana, Mexico; Joinville, Brazil; Markham, Ontario, Canada; Melbourne, Australia; Tokyo, Japan; Reading, United Kingdom; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Singapore.
Media Contact
Laura Cameron
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