It’s been all over the news: Toshiba has admitted it overstated profit by more than ¥150 billion in the past seven years and is now 
looking for buyers in order to stem its downward spiral. While wanting to keep its mainstay memory-chip and nuclear power businesses, Toshiba plans to dump its medical imaging division and lay off nearly 7,000 workers.
Toshiba offers a solid array of medical imaging devices, including the Vantage Titan 3T, Aquilion Prime CT, and Vantage Elan1.5T touted as the “quietest MR” available. The medical equipment modalities they provide are CT Scanners, MRI, Ultrasound, and X-ray. While Toshiba’s health care unit generated less than 1/10th of its total sales, its diagnostic scanners do face stiff competition from General Electric Co, Philips NV, Siemens AG and Samsung Electronics Company. While Toshiba says there has been interest in its health care unit, the only deal that’s been confirmed is the sale of Toshiba’s image-sensor operations to Sony. Toshiba is hoping to have a buyer by the end of March.
Until the dust settles, it’s probable that healthcare equipment buyers may start to think twice about investing in new medical imaging equipment from Toshiba. However, it shouldn’t have much of an affect on the refurbished and used medical equipment market. When purchased from reputable companies like Atlantis Worldwide, the equipment is still protected by impressive warranties, and should repairs or maintenance be required, there’s no shortage of parts and expertise. It’s understandable, however, that buyers will take a closer look at equipment manufactured by other vendors, until the dust settles.
If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to talk to an industry expert, like those at Atlantis Worldwide. We can provide information, insights and context that can help you make the best decision for your clinic, healthcare facility or practice.
Please contact Jeff Weiss at 212-366-9100 or jeffweiss@atlantisworldwide.com for medical imaging questions and needs.
Some blogs you may have missed:
- Changing the Game: Xbox to X-Ray
- Medical Imaging: Fueling the Future of Health Care
- 7 Benefits of Medical Imaging File Sharing
- 3D Printing in Medical Imaging & Healthcare
- Top 10 CT Scanner Articles
Meet the author: Vikki Harmonay
