Getinge further pursues its expansion strategy in Surgical Systems

Getinge further pursues its expansion strategy in Surgical Systems Getinge today acquired all shares of Dutch company Copharm B.V. Copharm has been business area Surgical Systems' agent on the Dutch market since the 60-ies. Net sales of the company amounts to 10 million EUR with 32 employees. Market shares in the Netherlands of the companie's main products surgical tables, surgical lights and ceiling service units, are approx. 75%. The acquisition of Copharm will strengthen the group's results before tax from 2004. For further information please contact: Dr. Heribert Ballhaus, Vice President Surgical Systems MAQUET GmbH & Co. KG +49 7222 932-0 GETINGE is a leading provider of equipment and systems to customers within health care, extended care and pharmaceutical industries/laboratories. Equipment, services and technologies for infection control, operating theatres, patient hygiene, patient handling and wound care are supplied to customers throughout the world. GETINGE represents sales of 8.6 billion SEK with 5 600 employees. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/03/31/20030331BIT00960/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/03/31/20030331BIT00960/wkr0002.pdf