Sysmex leveraging its presence in Benelux through wholly-owned su...

Local distributors to become Sysmex wholly-owned subsidiaries to further promote solution sales

Sysmex Corporation (HQ: Kobe, Japan; President: Hisashi Ietsugu) and Charles Goffin Beheer B.V. (HQ: Beek, the Netherlands; President: G. H. J. Seelen) have entered into a definitive agreement under which Sysmex will acquire the sales subsidiaries of Goffin Meyvis on April 1st 2009, having exclusively sold Sysmex products in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg, to make them Sysmex’s wholly owned subsidiaries.

Sysmex will address complex and diverse issues and fulfill advanced requirements of medical institutions, thereby further expanding its market share in the respective countries.

The Netherlands and Belgium represent the 6th biggest economies in Europe following the five leading countries (the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain), as well as, high level medical services.

In recent years, especially due to the increasing cost pressure, concurrent improvement of quality and work efficiency is the major challenge of medical institutions. In order to fulfill the advanced needs in the market, manufacturers and distributors are making the best endeavor to enrich their product portfolio and enhance solutions.

Goffin Meyvis, Sysmex's distributor in the Benelux markets since 1970s, has had a broad product line-up; not only Sysmex hematology and urinalysis products but also non-Sysmex products such as industrial devices, environmental devices, and many more. Through continuous marketing efforts, Sysmex products have enjoyed high appreciation, as well as, high brand awareness in the Benelux.

By integrating the two Goffin Meyvis affiliates as wholly-owned subsidiaries into its group of companies, Sysmex is going to enhance its setup in the Benelux countries with its key strength as a global solution provider. In addition, the new Sysmex affiliates will keep their broad product line-up and continue sales in IVD and non-IVD fields by utilizing their long-term expertise obtained during their former Goffin Meyvis time. Sysmex will thus leverage its world-wide know-how and resources to offer comprehensive solutions, to flexibly respond to customer requirements and, to increase its direct market coverage.

Taking the world economic situation, including the sharp rise in yen currency, as a good opportunity for such investment, Sysmex will solidify its business platform outside Japan.

Overview of the new subsidiaries

- Name: Sysmex Nederland B.V.
- Location: Etten-Leur
- Date of stock acquisition: April 1, 2009
- Expected number of employees: 62 (FY2009, planned)
- Description of business: Sales of diagnostic instruments, reagents, laboratory information systems, and measurement devices in industrial fields, and related after-sales support

- Name: Sysmex Belgium N.V.
* The current Sysmex Belgium S.A. is scheduled to change its name to Sysmex Belgium IT S.A. and will keep its function as a software development company.
- Location: Hoeilaart
- Date of stock acquisition: April 1, 2009
- Expected number of employees: 43 (FY2009, planned)
- Description of business: Sales of diagnostic instruments, reagents, laboratory information systems, and measurement devices in industrial fields, and related after-sales support