Acquisitions, Partnerships and More

A manufacturer of custom miniature solenoid valves, manifold assemblies and fluidic systems, Precision Dynamics, Inc. (PreDyne), has been acquired by the now-named Gems Sensors & Controls, a global manufacturer of liquid level, flow, and pressure sensors, and solid-state relays and barriers.

"The combination of Gems and PreDyne allows us to fulfill customer needs with complete pre-assembled and tested fluidic systems, designed specifically to their application requirements." notes Evan Berns, vice president of Gems Sensors & Controls. "Our lean methodologies will reduce lead times and deliver cost effective, madeto- order systems for OEMs around the world exactly where they're needed."

Headquartered in Saint-Jeannet, France, Future Medical Systems, S.A. (FMS), a privately-held developer, manufacturer and marketer of arthoscopic fluid management systems has been acquired by Cilag A.G., the European affiliate of DuPuy Mitek, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company.

DuPuy Mitek is a developer and manufacturer of surgical sports medicine medical devices, including arthoscopic solutions that address the challenges of soft tissue repair in shoulders and knees. FMS arthoscopic fluid management systems compliment the DuPuy Mitek offerings.

"FMS has developed outstanding arthroscopic products and has a promising pipeline," says Michel Paul, Worldwide President of DuPuy Mitek. "The acquisition expands our offering and gives us an opportunity to fulfill our commitment to our customers."

FMS research and development and operations will continue to be based in Saint-Jeannet while its sales team and distribution networks will be integrated into DuPuy Mitek.

Machine tool producer, Mori Seiki, has signed a distribution agreement that has Ellison Technologies serving the North American Midwest territory formerly served by Mori-Seiki Mid-American Sales. Giving up sales of all competitive equipment, Ellison will be solely responsible for sales and distribution of Mori Seiki equipment in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. The present Mori Seiki sales force will be integrated into Ellison.

Ellison has served Mori Seiki on the West Coast for the past six years. For its part, Mori Seiki has expectations of doubling business in the Midwest this year from sales of 300 machines in 2005 to 600 for 2006.

"Our focus is to continue to develop a wider range of services for our customers," says Jim Ellison, chairman and CEO of Ellison Technologies, "including pre-engineering capabilities and robotic automation services, which allow us to provide solutions beyond those offered by our competitors."

For its part, Mori Seiki had established its sales group as a means to learning about its Midwest customers. "From this experience," says Dr. Masahiko Mori, president of Mori Seiki Group, "we have gained invaluable knowledge with respect to the best way to serve this significant market." He points to a blending of what the company has learned about the market with Ellison's sales and distribution experience.

Also changing its distribution in the Midwest - specifically Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin - is Okuma America Corp. The company is pooling its current distributors to provide a team of more than 750 in sales, service, application engineering, systems integration engineering, product specialization, administration, customer support, machine finance, training and management. The companies are Gosiger Inc., Harwig Inc. and Morris Group, Inc.

Larry Schwartz, Okuma president and COO, claims, "What makes this partnership very special and unique in the distribution world is the total support and cooperation these three distributors will provide. This has never been attempted before."

Gosiger will take the lead in supporting the alliance with engineering talent to design complete automated manufacturing systems as well as providing process engineering, tooling and programming talent necessary to serve the die mold industry needs.

A leading medical technology company with a broadly based range of product in orthopaedics and other medical specialties, Stryker Corp., has acquired Sightline Technologies Ltd., of Haifa, Israel. Stryker is a leader in the rigid endoscopy market and Sightline is a developer of flexible endoscopes for the gastrointestinal (GI) and other markets. Its technology is aimed at improving insertion and sterilization during colonoscopy procedures.

Bill Enquist, president of Stryker Global Endoscopy, says that, "This acquisition allows us to apply our core competencies in visualization technology and sales and marketing to the flexible endoscopy market."

For its part, Sightline CEO, Avi Levy, notes, "With Sightline's products, Stryker will continue to set the bar for innovative products by bringing new, patient-friendly technology to the GI marketplace backed by the Stryker name and service reputation.