The Top 30 Global Medical Device Companies

By Group Editor Christopher Delporte, Managing Editor Michael Barbella and Contributing Writer Jim Stommen. As we researched the firms for this year’s top companies report, “challenging” was the word that most often was used by device executives to describe fiscal 2009. Along the lines of the old adage, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” medical device firms reported a lot of belt tightening, layoffs, restructuring and streamlining with the hopes of conserving cash and being better prepared to compete. While many industries felt the effects of the downturn in 2008, the medical device industry was slow to feel the impact. 2009 changed all that. But despite the austerity (and a noticeable lack of double-digit growth we’d all gotten used to), what’s most surprising about this list is how it hasn’t changed all that much. Medical devices remain a growth industry. Companies continue to innovate and—yes—grow. The difference now? It’s a lot harder than it used to be. And it was never that easy to begin with. Editor’s note: As you read our report, please take note that while the device and diagnostic companies are ranked according to sales reported for FY 2009 (though we do provide some 2010 figures to date where possible), some may include non-device sales within a division, such as combination products, drug delivery, software or device-related services. Not all companies explicitly break out the device portion of total revenues. We consulted numerous public documents and contacted company officials as needed to arrive at the best estimates. Also note that foreign currency conversions were done based on the exchange rate at the end of the fiscal reporting period being discussed.