GE Acquires Brazil Medical Equipment Maker XPRO

GE Healthcare (GE, Little Chalfont, United Kingdom) has acquired XPRO (Belo Horizonte, Brazil), a manufacturer of interventional X-ray machines, in a bid to expand its presence in Latin America.

The acquisition is the first made by GE in the subcontinent, and is intended to increase the overall presence of the company in the broader emerging markets. XPRO fits into this target with a balanced mix of adequate imaging technology, lowest-cost mechanical solutions (such as the positioner, examination table, and peripherals), and a well-rounded applications suite for interventional segments such as cardiology, peripheral vascular, and neurology. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Upon completion, XPRO will be part of a GE Healthcare business unit called Detection & Guidance Solutions (DGS), a USD 2 billion global business, which is made up of eight separate business segments, currently employing over 1,700 employees. The DGS business distributes products and services in all geographies, and has engineering and manufacturing capability in the US, France, Hungary, India, and China. XPRO will expand DGS' engineering and manufacturing presence into Brazil, and add an additional 132 employees.

“With over 120 vascular systems in the installed base, primarily at private value customer sites, XPRO has become a well-known player in healthcare in Brazil,” said Rogerio Patrus, chief executive for GE Healthcare in Latin America. “This acquisition demonstrates GE Healthcare's commitment to Latin America as an independent, growing region.”

“GE Healthcare Detection & Guidance Solutions and XPRO are highly complementary. Our value products have been strategically developed with our local customers needs in mind and GE is broadly recognized for its capabilities in R&D and distribution,” said Sandro Moraes, President of XPRO. “With GE Healthcare’s proven track record in China and India for improving access to new technologies, we are confident that our combined know-how will reinforce our offering and positioning not only in Brazil but also in other emerging countries globally.”

Related Links:
GE Healthcare
XPRO