Smiths Medical is a leading supplier of specialist medical devices, consumables and equipment for global markets.
In medication delivery, our devices help treat cancer patients and provide relief to those in pain. Our vital care products reduce hospital-acquired infections, manage patients’ airways before, during, and after surgery, maintain body temperature and assist reproduction through IVF therapy. Our safety products keep health workers safe by helping prevent needlestick injuries and reducing cross-infections.
Key facts
Employees 7,750
2012 Headline revenue £864m
2012 Operating profit margin 23.5%
Principal operations regions
We have operations in over 30 countries with manufacturing concentrated in Mexico, US, UK, Italy, Germany and China. We sell to approximately 120 markets and, while the US continues to be our largest single market with around 50% of sales, we are investing to build our presence in select emerging markets.
Customers
We estimate that around three-quarters of our end customers are hospitals, with the remainder comprising the alternate care market such as homecare, clinics and other surgery centres. We have a direct sales presence in 22 countries, with distribution arrangements in some 100 others.
Competitors
The competitive landscape for Smiths Medical is complex as we compete with different companies across the broad product portfolio. Our major competitors include Covidien, Teleflex, B Braun, Becton Dickinson, C R Bard, 3M (Arizant), Hospira and CareFusion. We often compete with a small portion of a major competitor’s medical business, as well as with any number of smaller, single product line companies trying to gain entrance into a particular market. This makes comparison between peers far from straightforward. In emerging markets, we compete with both large multinational companies and smaller domestic players.
Suppliers
Our strategy is to engage suppliers in product innovation, value engineering and a commitment to quality. Our goal is to reduce product and supply chain costs, improve delivery performance and reduce the cost of out-of-specification or poor-quality supplies. The majority of our direct spending is on injection moulding, packaging materials and electronics. Among indirect purchases, freight, services, travel, temporary labour and capital equipment represent the majority.
Financial highlights
Revenue performance
Revenue by sector £864m
- Medication delivery 28%
- Vital care 41%
- Safety devices 31%
Where we operate
Manufacturing is concentrated in Mexico, the US and UK, Italy, Germany and China. We sell to over 120 markets worldwide, the US being our largest single market with around 50% of sales.
Useful links