Stryker Announces Definitive Agreement To Acquire Berchtold Holding, AG

Stryker Corporation announced recently a definitive agreement to acquire Berchtold Holding, AG (Berchtold) for an enterprise value of $172M. Berchtold, a privately held business with operating facilities in Germany and the United States, sells world-class surgical infrastructure equipment.  

Berchtold has been providing customer-centric healthcare equipment for over 90 years with sales in 2013 of approximately $125M. Their product portfolio includes surgical tables, equipment booms, and surgical lighting systems geared towards maximizing efficiency and safety in operating rooms and ICUs. Combining these complementary solutions with Stryker Endoscopy's existing operating room equipment portfolio will create a comprehensive, quality-focused offering equipped to satisfy a wide range of customer needs around the globe.

"We are committed to offering innovative, best-in-class operating room infrastructure equipment," said Timothy J. Scannell, Group President, MedSurg and Neurotechnology. "This acquisition delivers on that commitment by strengthening our portfolio and allowing us to address rapidly evolving customer requirements for operating room design."

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions including the expiration or termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act waiting period. Upon closing, the transaction is expected to be neutral to Stryker's 2014 earnings per share excluding acquisition, integration-related and intangible amortization charges. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2014.

About Stryker
Stryker is one of the world's leading medical technology companies and together with our customers, we are driven to make healthcare better. The Company offers a diverse array of innovative medical technologies, including reconstructive, medical and surgical, and neurotechnology and spine products to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives. Stryker products and services are available in over 100 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.stryker.com.