15. Toshiba
$4.6 Billion ($77B total)
KEY EXECUTIVES:
Atsutoshi Nishida, Chairman & Director
Satoshi Tsunakawa, Toshiba Medical Systems Corp.
Toshiya Miyaguchi, President, Toshiba America Medical Systems
Kevin Abbott, Sr. VP, CFO & Treasurer, Toshiba AmericaMedical Systems
Donald Fowler, Sr. VP & General Manager, Toshiba America Medical Systems
Doug Ryan, VP, Marketing & Strategic Development, Toshiba America Medical Systems
NO. OF EMPLOYEES: 199,000 (total)
GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS: Tokyo, Japan
The healthcare arm of global electronics giant Toshiba—Toshiba Medical Systems Corp.—is a manufacturer ofdiagnostic imaging (cardiovascular X-rays, computed tomography imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound). Much of the company’s business comes out of its North American base, Toshiba America Medical Systems, in Tustin, Calif.
Toshiba Medical Systems emerged from a tough fiscal 2009 with increased sales in 2010. The company grew revenue by 12 percent (in yen) for fiscal 2010 (ended March 31 of this year) to approximately $4.6 billion. Net income also increased—27 percent (in yen)—to roughly $301.7 million. Company management cited improved economic conditions in the United States for the uptick in sales.
The year also brought a number of significant product launches.
During the fiscal year, Toshiba began offering the Aegis breast imaging workstation with its magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) products. The Aegis breast workstation, developed by Sentinelle Medical Inc. in Toronto, Canada, offers 4-D (3-D plus time) image processing, combining the speed and flexibility of a 3-D visualization workstation with dedicated breast MRI algorithms, including kinetic curves and color maps and customizable reports. The Aegis breast workstation is available on Toshiba’s Vantage Atlas and Vantage Titan MR systems.
In November, Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. introduced the Radrex-i Standard, a digital radiographic (DR) system. Radrex-i allows facilities to stay competitive by replacing film or computed radiography cassette processing with a digital system to increase productivity and diagnostic accuracy. Radrex-i Standard was designed to improve workflow for radiology departments by offering simplified components, including ergonomic, user-friendly controls on the overhead X-ray tube. The Radrex-i Standard also includes a 500-pound table weight limit, a 300 kHU X-ray tube and an 80-kW generator, allowing hospitals to image a variety of patients quickly, according to the company.
Toshiba also announced upgrades across its ultrasound product line. The latest features available on the Aplio XG, Aplio MX, Xario XG, and Viamo systems include new transducers, 4-D imaging improvements and workflow protocol enhancements. Additional upgrades to the Viamo include ApliPure, TissuePure Imaging and DICOM structured reporting. Toshiba is improving 4-D image quality across its ultrasound line to enable clinicians to see all dimensions of the anatomy being imaged more clearly and accurately. During biopsies, 4-D imaging allows for more accurate guidance of the biopsy needle. Precise visualization of the needle path creates safer exams and reduces potential complications, according to the company. Toshiba also added three new transducers to improve the ability to conduct detailed ultrasound imaging exams, including one high-frequency curved array transducer and two intraoperative transducers. The new high-frequency tightly curved transducer, PVT-712BT, enables clinicians to view small details, especially important in exams of neonatal heads, pediatric abdomens and thyroids. These details come from the transducer’s ability to penetrate from the near to far field at very high frequencies. The new intraoperative transducer, PVT-745BTH, is designed for direct visualization of organs, particularly the liver, during surgery. The second new intraoperative transducer, PVT-745BTF, is tailored for imaging the vascular system. All transducer upgrades are available on the Aplio XG, Aplio MX and Xario XG ultrasound systems. Toshiba also upgraded the Viamo ultrasound including ApliPure, TissuePure Imaging and DICOM structured reporting. The new upgrades on the Viamo enable clinicians to perform advanced exams with greater image definition and clinical accuracy without compromising on patient access, making it appropriate for high-end radiology, vascular and OB/GYN exams and procedures at patients’ bedsides.
In February this year, Toshiba received U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance for Auto-IMT, which can determine the thickness of the near and far arterial walls from three segments of the carotid artery. Auto-IMT traces the two complementary planes automatically and calculates the distance between them. Toshiba worked with Midwest Ultrasound, a division of The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, to develop the software tool. Midwest Ultrasound is a nationally recognized leader in providing quality cardiac and vascular ultrasound services, and maintains a diverse client mix, from small rural and community hospitals to major urban academic centers and large physician practices in southwest Ohio.
While not necessarily a new product release, to help patients work with physicians to learn—and feel more comfortable—about imaging procedures, Toshiba created the website myimagingexam.com. The site provides educational tools for patients to download and use with their physician before undergoing a medical imaging exam to better understand the imaging process and manage their own health. In addition to tools, the site also includes educational information about women’s imaging, pediatric imaging, patient comfort and CT radiation dose.
Fiscal 2010 also was a year of management transition for Toshiba Medical Systems and its American arm; a number of key postings were announced.
In June 2010, Toshiba Medical Systems Corp. in Japan appointed Satoshi Tsunakawa as president and CEO. Tsunakawa was a senior vice president of the company, and, succeeds Kenichi Komatsu, Ph.D., who became an adviser to Toshiba Medical Systems’ board. He has been with Toshiba since 1979.
Also in June last year, Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. named Tomo Hasegawa as director of the Ultrasound business unit. Hasegawa is responsible for implementing tactical and strategic marketing plans to drive growth and profitability. He also will interface with Toshiba’s global business unit at Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation in Japan to communicate the needs and requirements of the U.S. market. Hasegawa has an executive MBA with honors from the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash., and a BS/MS in Electrical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass.
In October 2010, Joseph Cooper was named director of the computed tomography business unit of Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. Cooper has more than 15 years of experience in the medical imaging industry. Prior to his new role with Toshiba, Cooper spent 10 years at Siemens, where he was responsible for managing and developing the CT market throughout Southern California. Cooper has been working at Toshiba for the past five years, most recently as senior manager of the CT business unit in charge of strategic development.
Just after the end of the 2010 fiscal year, Stephen Bumb was named director of the X-ray Vascular Business Unit of Toshiba America Medical Systems in April. Prior to joining Toshiba, Bumb was the marketing director for Edwards Lifesciences Critical Care in Irvine, Calif. In his time there, he was involved in the development and operation of a nationwide clinician education program, re-engineering of the company’s sales training program and development of a new sales channel. He has also held executive positions at Imagyn Medical Technologies and Vascular Control Systems.
Also in April, Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. named Donald L. Fowler as general manager and senior vice president to oversee sales, marketing, service, finance, human resources and information technology functions. Most recently, Fowler held the position of vice president of the magnetic resonance business unit of Siemens Medical Solutions.