Olympus 2008 Annual Report Download - page 19

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> The main products of the Life Science Business are bio-
logical microscopes, industrial microscopes and clinical
hemanalysis systems.
Sales in this business rose 6.3% year on year to
¥131,446 million (US$1,252 million), while operating
income decreased 13.5% to ¥6,990 million (US$67
million). This was attributable to increased investment
in R&D and business reformation, despite a primarily
overseas increase in revenue.
MICRO-IMAGING
> Sales in the micro-imaging (microscopes) business
climbed 6.5% compared with the previous fiscal year to
¥78,724 million (US$750 million).
In biological microscopes, Olympus recorded healthy
sales in the United States and Europe. In the growing
markets of Asia, the Middle East and Latin America,
sales of the BX series of research system microscopes
were robust.
In industrial microscopes, Olympus faced a difficult
situation, including intensifying price competition in
Japan and overseas as potential customers cut back
on capital investment. However, sales remained on par
with the previous fiscal year due to its efforts to expand
sales in those parts of Asia where market recoveries
were seen.
Life Science
Business
DIAGNOSTIC
SYSTEMS
> Sales of diagnostic systems rose 5.9% year on year to
¥52,722 million (US$502 million).
In fiscal 2008, Olympus released the AU680
automated chemistry analyzer and the AU3000i
immunochemistry analyzer simultaneously in Japan. In
addition, Olympus established the Mishima Facility to
consolidate efforts to integrate functions for devices,
reagents, as well as maintenance and support services.
By doing so, Olympus expanded its diagnostic testing
business. Overseas, sales of new products related to
automated blood transfusion testing systems grew in
the United States, while sales of automated chemistry
analyzers were strong in the Asian region, mainly in
China. As a result, Olympus recorded increased revenue
in this business.
OUTLOOK FOR
FISCAL 2009
> In fiscal 2009, Olympus expects sales of ¥125 billion
and operating income of ¥6 billion in the Life Science
Business. These estimates are lower than results in the
previous fiscal year due to the impact from foreign cur-
rency exchange rate fluctuations. However, Olympus will
focus on the sale of high-value-added products, includ-
ing biological microscopes, while working to reinforce
immunoassay-related products, one of the core items in
its clinical analyzer lineup.
OLYMPUS 2008 17