Gambro divests French hospital
Gambro divests French hospital Stockholm, Sweden - Gambro AB (Stockholm Stock Exchange: GAMBaST, GAMBbST), a leading international medical technology and healthcare com- pany, today announced that it has agreed to sell the French hospital Résidence du Parc in Marseille to a subsidiary of the French group FD5. The divestiture does not include the dialysis clinics operation which, with its 315 patients, is one of the largest in Europe. The hospital has about 430 employees and has a turnover of about SEK 300 M (USD 35 M), excluding the dialysis operation. The divestiture results in a capital loss of SEK 90 M (USD 11 M) and is effective December 31, 1999. The operation will be deconsolidated in Gambro's accounts as of October 1, 1999. The divestiture is subject to approval by health authorities. The divestiture of the hospital is part of the ongoing restructuring program in Gambro and will result in a strategic focusing of the European clinics operation to renal care. For further information please contact: Bengt Modéer, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, tel. +46-8-613 65 00, +46-70-513 65 33 Anna Augustson, European Investor Relations Manager, tel. +46-8-613 65 35, +46-70-513 65 34 Tim Schoenberg, Vice President, US Investor Relations Manager, +1-949-425-2185 Gambro is a global medical technology and healthcare company with leading positions in renal care - services and products - and blood component technology (BCT). Gambro is one of the leading providers of kidney dialysis services in the world. Gambro treats about 43,200 patients in 581 clinics worldwide. Renal care products comprise dialyzers, dialysis machines, blood lines and dialysis concentrates. BCT includes products for the separation and handling of blood components. The group, with revenue of approximately SEK 18 billion (USD 2.2 billion), has approximately 17,000 employees in some 40 countries. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/12/21/19991221BIT00410/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/12/21/19991221BIT00410/bit0002.pdf