Varian Medical Systems Inc. traces its roots back to the late 1940s when brothers Russell and Sigurd Varian, invented a high-frequency amplifier for generating microwaves known as the klystron tube. The tube became a key component of modern medical technology, including the use of linear accelerators in radiation therapy.
The brothers eventually formed Varian Associates, a company that stood until April 2, 1999 when the semiconductor and scientific instruments business were was spun off from the medical division.
Born from the breakup was Varian Medical Systems, a company with annual revenue of $542 million in 1998. By 2008, the company nearly quadrupled its revenue to $2.1 billion and increased its profit from $8 million to $295 million.
| At A Glance Varian Medical Systems Inc. Palo Alto, Calif. Primary Industry: Machinery Number of Employees: 4,800 2007 In Review Revenue: $1.78 billion Profit Margin: 13.48% Sales Turnover: 1.06 Inventory Turnover: 4.92 Revenue Growth: 11.19% Return On Assets: 15.84% Return On Equity: 30.04% |
Some of the company's highlights over the decade include the introduction of its RapidArc radiotherapy technology, more than 50 new X-ray tubes and the development of large-scale high-energy X-ray scanners that can automatically detect dangerous materials hidden in cargo containers.
The company also has shown an ability to thrive during tough economic times. The medical-device industry is one the few businesses that has sustained growth during the recession.
Varian Medical Systems ended the first quarter of 2009 with revenue of $508.7 million, up nearly 13% from the year-earlier period. Profit increased to $68.8 million, or 56 cents per share, compared with $55.5 million, or 46 cents a share, during the first three months of 2008.
The company benefited from strong sales in its Oncology Systems and X-Ray Products business segments, said Tim Guertin, president and CEO, in a Jan. 29 statement. Revenue increased 11% to $398 million in the Oncology Systems unit, while revenue rose 23% to $86 million in the X-Ray Products division.Guertin expects continued growth for the remainder of 2009.
"Despite continuing turbulent financial times, we believe that fiscal year 2009 revenues could grow by about 10 to 13%," he said.
For the second quarter, Guertin said revenue could grow 9% to 10%.
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