Japanese companies are pursuing acquisitions in the diagnostic imaging field, centered on CT and MRI, with Canon and FUJIFILM leading the market. Ricoh is also entering the medical equipment business through acquisitions, but the reality of acquisition synergies varies by company.
Although Western companies remain strong in the medical equipment industry, Japanese companies are establishing a presence, particularly in diagnostic equipment. CT and MRI, in particular, are driving the market as a core element of their acquisition strategies. This feature examines Canon, FUJIFILM and Ricoh, focusing on the realities of acquisition synergies and the winning strategies of each company.
Canon has maintained the leading share of Japan's CT market, while FUJIFILM has secured the world's leading share not only in supplying CT and MRI equipment but also in systems for managing imaging data. FUJIFILM has also consolidated its position as a major manufacturer in the endoscopy and X-ray diagnostic imaging fields.
Ricoh is entering the medical equipment field by leveraging its resources as a major multifunction printer manufacturer and acquiring businesses operated by other companies. At the same time, an analysis has shown that the extent to which acquisition synergies have been realized varies by company, bringing the differences in their winning strategies into sharper focus.
The following pages will examine in detail the acquisition synergies in the medical equipment businesses of Canon, FUJIFILM and Ricoh, and provide a detailed explanation of each company's future outlook.