Medical Equipment & Supplies Manufacturing Industry Profile

The US medical equipment and supplies manufacturing industry includes about 11,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $125 billion. Major companies include Baxter International, Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic. The industry is concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for about 60 percent of revenue.

The global medical equipment and supplies industry generates annual revenue of about $340 billion. Major markets include the US, Japan, Germany, France, and Italy.

Medical equipment and supplies manufacturers produce surgical, ophthalmic, and dental instruments and disposable supplies (syringes, gloves) used in the medical field. The industry doesn't include the manufacture of x-ray or electromedical equipment and devices, such as ultrasound equipment, pacemakers, and electrocardiographs.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by population demographics and advances in medical knowledge and technology. The profitability of individual companies depends on the ability to develop superior products. Large companies have economies of scale in manufacturing and R&D. Small companies can compete successfully by specializing in a particular market segment, or through technical innovation.

Imports of medical equipment and supplies account for about 20 percent of the US market; exports represent about 20 percent of US production. Leading sources of imports include Mexico, Ireland, and China. The largest export markets for medical medical equipment and supplies are Japan, the Netherlands, and Canada.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products include surgical and medical instruments (about 30 percent of industry revenue), such as syringes, hypodermic needles, and ...