Olympus announced a comprehensive strategy to transform endoscopy-related care that yields cost savings but includes cutting its workforce by thousands.

The company said its future global organizational transformation will align structure and resources with its strategy. The optimization, Olympus said, will simplify organizational layers and expand managerial spans of control.

Due to this, the company will have a net reduction of about 2,000 positions in its global workforce.

The changes are expected to yield about ¥24 billion (about $156 million) in run rate savings. Olympus said this change fosters agility and clearer accountability. Ultimately, the company hopes to accelerate cutting-edge technologies and reinforce its global medtech leadership.

“Today marks a pivotal moment for Olympus,” said Bob White, representative executive officer, president, and CEO at Olympus. “We are building on our industry-leading installed base of endoscopy systems to move beyond hardware toward a future defined by intelligent, integrated care. By simplifying our organization, we are enhancing agility and making bold investments in the next generation of medical technology. Guided by our strong Purpose and Core Values, Olympus is committed to setting new standards in endoscopy-enabled care and delivering better care for millions of patients around the world.”

White assumed the office of CEO on June 1, 2025.

The company hopes to provide minimally invasive endoscopy powered by AI, robotics, and connected digital ecosystems. Olympus said it holds the world’s largest installed base of endoscopy systems and plans to redefine standards in endoscopy-based care.

Its new strategy is built on three strategic pillars: innovation-driven growth, simplicity, and accountability.

As a result of its new plan, Olympus expects 5% year-on-year revenue growth by fiscal year 2026. It also anticipated annual 100-basis point growth from fiscal year 2026, over 10% EPS CAGR, and continuous free cash flow improvement. The company said capital will be dynamically deployed to support innovation, dividends, share buybacks, and strategic M&A.

In July 2025, the company became a founding partner in gastrointestinal robotics company Swan EndoSurgical, which aims to drive endoluminal robotics advancements.

Olympus enacts leadership changes as part of strategy

Keith Boettiger, currently corporate officer and co-head of the Gastrointestinal Solutions division, will be named executive officer and Gastroinstestinal Solutions division head and take office on April 1, 2026. He will succeed Frank Drewalowski, who will move to senior advisor to the CEO.

Yasuo Takeuchi will step down as representative executive officer, executive chairperson, and ESG officer at the end of March 2026, after over four decades of service. Takeuchi was president and CEO beginning in 2019 and led Olympus’ transformation into a pure-play medtech company.

The company said under his leadership, “the company strengthened its governance, enhanced board diversity, and laid the foundation for Olympus’ next phase of growth as a global medTech leader.”