News Releases

Konica Minolta Acquires Sawae, Enhancing Digital X-ray Diagnostic Imaging Systems in Brazil

July 2, 2015

Tokyo (July 2, 2015) – Konica Minolta, Inc. (Konica Minolta) (Tokyo:4902) today announced that it has acquired Sawae Technologica Ltda., an X-ray system equipment manufacturer based in Minas Gerais, Brazil, through its Brazilian healthcare sales company, Konica Minolta Healthcare do Brazil.

Purpose of Acquisition:

With Brazil’s increasing population exceeding 200 million, significant healthcare technical advancements and efficiencies are required. Aging and obsolete X-ray and other medical systems in the market need replacement. Through the acquisition, Konica Minolta will gain Sawae’s strong market recognition with a nationwide sales network and local manufacturing capability to deliver high quality and price competitive X-ray solutions.

Konica Minolta will also enhance its sales of DR (Digital Radiography) and CR (Computed Radiography) as part of their Primary Imaging Solutions offering to grow the healthcare business in Brazil. With focus on Primary Imaging, the first look in imaging diagnostics, Konica Minolta can help clinicians make early decisions and help reduce healthcare costs by providing the necessary information to rule in or rule out disease.

Sawae

Founded in 1993, Sawae has been locally manufacturing and selling X-ray system equipment, primarily covering four major states in southwestern Brazil (Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia) and expanding nationwide. The company has been known for its high quality products with a widespread recognition in the market.

Company name Sawae Tecnologia Ltda.
Founded 1993
Headquarters Minas Gerais, Brazil
Number of employees 29 (as of end of December 2014)
Business Manufacturing and sale of X-ray system equipment
Annual sales Approximately 13 million Brazil Real (FY2014)

Konica Minolta Healthcare

Since 2011, Konica Minolta has been offering the AeroDR family of solutions, a wireless cassette-type digital X-ray system, enabling wireless transmission of diagnostic image data. The AeroDR family of solutions are simple, reliable and robust, with an excellent reputation among healthcare institutions as user-friendly, lightweight, high image quality and dose efficient.

The acquisition of Sawae further solidifies Konica Minolta’s presence by enhancing its capability to provide solutions that specifically meet the needs of the Brazilian market; as a result, Konica Minolta will increase its position in diagnostic imaging by strengthening its offerings with the AeroDR and Sawae’s combined X-ray systems solutions.

Going forward, under the brand proposition “Giving Shape to Ideas,” Konica Minolta will accelerate solutions and meet the healthcare sector needs through the creation of new value.