JUNE 12--Klein Biomedical Consultants (KBC; New York, NY), a strategic marketing firm, reports that the United States ultrasound market exceeded all expectations and grew by 10.2% in 2001, with total ultrasound revenues reaching $1.1 billion, in the recently issued 2001 report The Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound Market in the USA: Challenges & Opportunities in the New Millennium. "The rather significant growth shown by the 2001 ultrasound market caught us by surprise, especially as it followed a rather flat year in 2000," said Harvey Klein, founder and president of KBC. "The underlying factors for this significant growth include a strong radiology market, a strong showing for high-end systems, an increase in upgrade revenues, and a stabilization of system prices."
In addition to these factors, Klein believes the most significant reason for the growth is the highly competitive market that has been created by the top three ultrasound companies--Siemens in first place, Philips in second place, and General Electric in third place--that together account for 84% of the United States ultrasound market.
"These companies are targeting the ultrasound market with aggressive sales efforts, both for systems and upgrades," said Klein. "Ultimately, I believe, this will result in benefits to the customer through competitive pricing, as well as the development of new innovations through a renewed commitment to research and development."
