Stryker to acquire surgical technology firm Berchtold

Stryker has agreed a $172 million (103.25 million pounds) deal to purchase Berchtold, a privately-held company that sells and distributes world-class surgical infrastructure equipment.

The company has been providing customer-centric healthcare equipment for more than 90 years, generating sales of approximately $125 million in 2013. It has operating facilities in Germany and the US.

When the transaction closes in the second quarter of 2014, Stryker will be able to expand its portfolio with new surgical tables, equipment booms and surgical lighting systems that can help to maximise efficiency and safety in operating rooms and intensive care units.

It is thought that the acquisition will help to bolster Stryker Endoscopy's offering of operating room equipment.

Timothy Scannell, group president for MedSurg and neurotechnology at Stryker, said: "We are committed to offering innovative, best-in-class operating room infrastructure equipment. This acquisition delivers on that commitment by strengthening our portfolio and allowing us to address rapidly evolving customer requirements for operating room design."

During 2013, Stryker's net sales rose by 4.2 percent year on year to $9.0 billion, while organic sales growth in 2014 is expected to be in the range of 4.5 to 6.0 percent.