The world’s most modern medical training centre opens in Hamburg

Olympus sets a milestone for the future of medical technology

Hamburg, 22 September 2008 – With the new Olympus Medical Training Centre (OMTC), Olympus Europa Holding GmbH opens the world’s most modern training facility. The centre will serve as a hub for state-of-the-art training and ongoing professional development of medical specialists from around the world.

A leading manufacturer of integrated systems solutions and functions, Olympus provides a full range of equipment for comprehensive operating room set-ups. During procedures, the advanced cutting-edge technologies take a back seat to facilitate sophisticated handling and easy operability. The new OMTC is a further substantial move by Olympus to enhance its leading position in the field of medical technology. Following an overall investment of EUR 3 million, this international development and competence facility has become a major port of call for medical professionals from around the globe.

With the inauguration of its new training centre, Olympus underscores the significance of Hamburg as a leading site for medical technology. The centre provides medical practitioners with a state-of-the-art training facility featuring high-end medical and surgical systems, where they are instructed in the operation of the latest medical equipment in the field of minimally invasive surgery.

Four training rooms, two seminar areas and an auditorium with 120 seats where international guests can participate in workshops and symposiums are spread over 1,000m2 of floor space. At the heart of the training centre is the Olympus Advanced ENDOALPHA operating theatre: a visionary control and communication centre that integrates all necessary medical equipment and peripheral systems.

Olympus not only sees doctors using these facilities, but also the entire operating room team. Furthermore, additional areas are available for training service personnel and the preparation of instruments. It was a conscious decision to construct the new OMTC at the site of the successful Olympus Winter & Ibe (OWI) subsidiary in Hamburg. OWI supports doctors worldwide with premium-grade endoscopic systems for minimally invasive surgery and is the global market leader in, among other areas, the important flexible endoscopy segment. This was reason enough for the Japanese parent company to integrate the forward-looking training centre within the Hamburg-based subsidiary.
The area of medical technology is an important core business segment for the Olympus group. Currently, it accounts for a sales volume of USD 3 billion. With the opening of the OMTC in Hamburg, Olympus Europa Holding GmbH also further strengthens its research, development and production capabilities.

More than 650 people are employed in the area of medical technology in Hamburg alone. Of these, 100 work in research and development – and around 12 per cent of the group’s turnover is invested in this important business segment. The medical technology market is currently booming: in just the past 18 months, 100 new employees were hired, and the demand for further highly-qualified staff remains very high.

“Investment in research and development is vital”, explains Heinz Jacqui, Executive Managing Director of Olympus Winter & Ibe GmbH. “Not only does it enhance our own competitiveness, it also helps to create jobs. With our new training centre. Olympus will generate significant worldwide attention and interest. Our challenge is to continue along this path in order to maintain and develop our competence and innovative advantage in the future”.

For questions or additional information, please contact:
Silvia Schanze
International Sales & Marketing
Olympus Winter & Ibe GmbH
Tel. +49 40 6 69 66-2370
Email: silvia.schanze@olympus-owi.com