Science & Technology
Science and Technology
Science and Technology
Fri, January 23, 2009 Merge Solidifies Sales Team for Chinese Market
MILWAUKEE, Wis.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Merge Healthcare (NASDAQ:MRGE), a leading medical imaging solutions provider, today announced it has solidified the leadership team for its Chinese operations. "Because of the opportunity in this market, Merge has moved quickly to solidify sales operations for ShanghaiCo, now doing business as Merge China," notes Justin Dearborn, Merge Healthcare CEO. "China has the potential to be our biggest market in a few years."
As the country holding one fifth of the world's aging population, according to Frost and Sullivan, and with a per capita healthcare expenditure that increased by eight times from 1979 to 2004, China controls a large percentage of the world's healthcare spending. Recent government initiatives have further sparked investment in healthcare resources, particularly to populations outside of the major metropolitan areas of China. This has resulted in a medical imaging growth rate that outpaces most of the world. Revenues from advanced modality sales alone are expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2010, per Frost and Sullivan. "With a unique ability to provide toolkits and technologies for local medical imaging companies, as well as finished applications focused on easy Web access, Merge is well equipped to meet China's market needs," adds Dearborn. "We are excited to be an active participant in this growth."
Merge China was reacquired after the dissolution of a transfer agreement to Inqgen Technology Co., LTD. earlier this month. Zhong Wang, who leads Merge China, has quickly built his team. Diana Dai, Sales Manager, and Weiming Li, Customer Operations Manager, will lead business development efforts with Wang; Feng Chen will lead engineering; XinLiang Li will lead customer service, and Wei Chen will lead HR, Finance & Administration. All five professionals have extensive experience in medical imaging in China, as well as with the specific Merge solutions and customers there. "This team is already showing success in continuing our existing business and expanding development efforts," according to Wang. "I've been very pleased with the smooth transition."
Merge Healthcare's solutions solve mission-critical issues for radiology practices, outpatient imaging centers, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers worldwide. For additional information, visit [ www.merge.com ].
The matters discussed in this news release may include forward-looking statements, which could involve a number of risks and uncertainties. When used in this press release, the words "will," "believes," "intends," "anticipates," "expects" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any of the forward-looking statements.
