South East Asian Health News

Focus: Asian Medical Device Companies

We have profiled below some of the leading SE Asian medical device companies. Most of these companies are engaged in the production of medical disposables and low technology medical devices. These companies could provide reliable local manufacturing and distribution resources for Western companies. With some technology transfer, several of the companies could begin to engage in more value added manufacturing.

1. PT IGAR JAYA, INDONESIA

Activities - In addition to medical devices, Igar Jaya manufactures products for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries.

Product range - Igar Jaya manufactures disposable medical syringes.

Shareholder structure - The company was established in October 1975 and went public in 1990.

Other comments - Igar Jaya is the leading medical disposable manufacturer in Indonesia.

2. INCHCAPE HEALTHCARE , SINGAPORE

Activities - Inchcape Healthcare, a member of the medical division of the Inchcape Group, markets and distributes medical systems, medical equipment and disposables.

Product range - Medical and surgical instruments (anaesthetic equipment, injection syringes, hypodermic needles, blood pressure measuring apparatuses); equipment and instruments for medical laboratories (sterilizing equipment for surgical instruments and dressings); hospital, medical, dentistry and veterinary equipment (orthopaedic appliances, medical instruments); and physiotherapy and rehabilitation equipment.

Shareholder structure - The company is part of the medical division of the Inchcape Group.

Other comments - Inchcape has one of the best distribution networks in SE Asia for medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

3. INFUS MEDICAL CO, THAILAND

Activities - Infus Medical manufactures and exports medical laboratory equipment and instruments; and also distributes hospital, medical, dentistry and veterinary equipment.

Product range - The company produces blood transfusion apparatuses, medical plastics, instruments and appliances, special tubes and bags for sterilization; and distributes surgical and dental equipment and medical instruments.

Financials - Share capital issued: Bht20m (US$500,000)

4. PT KIMIA FARMA, INDONESIA

Activities - The company manufactures and distributes ethical products, patent medicines, generic medicines, licensed products, raw materials, oral contraceptives, phyto-pharmaceutical products, medical and scientific instruments.

Product range - Medical and laboratory equipment. Medical disposables, sutures and bandages.

Shareholder structure - The company is government-owned, and was established in August 1971.

Financials - Sales for the fiscal year ended 31 December 1996 was Rp522bn (US$52m) , while earnings after taxes were Rp14bn (US$1.4m) The forecast net profit for 1998 is US$2.0m.

Other comments - Kimia has strong distribution but little R & D ability. Management has recently been improved, but continued government influence has hampered the company's growth. Kimia has a network of over 90 company-owned pharmacies and wholesalers covering most of Indonesia.

5. MEDIPRO MANUFACTURING (M) SDN BHD, MALAYSIA

Activities - Medipro manufactures medical and surgical instruments.

Product range - The company produces non-woven surgical gowns, surgical masks, clean room overalls, masks and caps.

Financials - 1997 revenues of RM13m (US$3.4m). Other comments - HEAL Marketing Sdn Bhd is the sole distributor of Medipro products in Malaysia.

6. SCHMIDT & CO LTD, HONG KONG

Activities - Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Schmidt Group of companies distributes electronics, medical equipment, medical consumables and instruments to markets throughout Asia.

Product range - Medical and surgical instruments (surgery instruments, resuscitation equipment, hyperthermia systems, urological instruments, endoscopy instruments, oxygenators, blood transfusion apparatus and sutures); equipment and instruments for medical laboratories (vacuum blood-sampling apparatus and disposables); opthalmic equipment (surgical instruments for the ears, O.R.L. therapeutic and diagnosis instruments); and hospital, medical, dentistry and veterinary equipment (medical equipment, syringes, medical laboratory equipment and electro-medical equipment).

7. PT SETIO HARTO, INDONESIA

Activities - Setio Harto produces precision goods that include laboratory instruments, and other medical, environmental and scientific equipment.

Shareholder structure - The company was established in March 1968. Its principal shareholders are Andreas Setiomuljo and Thomas Hartono.

Other comment - The company is still largely family controlled.

8. SURGICAL SUTURE & MEDICAL INSTRUMENT CO LTD, VIETNAM

Activities - The company manufactures medical instruments, surgical sutures and cloths.

Product range - Low-tech medical instruments, surgical masks, gowns, sutures and bandages.

Shareholder structure - Established in March 1992. Other comments - SSMI is a relatively small firm, but one of the few truly Vietnamese companies in the sector.