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Asahi Kasei subsidiary ZOLL completes acquisition of Cardiac Science

August 28, 2019
Asahi Kasei Corp.

ZOLL Medical Corporation, a US subsidiary of Asahi Kasei, has completed its acquisition of Cardiac Science Corporation, a US manufacturer of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), on August 26, 2019, US Eastern time. Asahi Kasei announced ZOLL's decision to acquire Cardiac Science on June 12, 2019. With the completion of all requisite procedures, the acquisition is now closed.

A pioneer in the field of acute critical care, ZOLL offers a comprehensive array of products across the entire Chain of Survival* and has a firm global position in professional products for hospitals and emergency medical services (EMS). The company is the US market leader in defibrillators including AEDs, and the global market leader in professional defibrillators.

By enriching its AED product lineup, this acquisition is in complete accordance with ZOLL's mission of making life-saving technology available for use when medical emergencies occur. The acquisition will further strengthen ZOLL's AED business by augmenting its product lineup with that of Cardiac Science, having a strong established portfolio in the growing market for AEDs. Moreover, by leveraging Cardiac Science's sales network outside the US, ZOLL will accelerate the global expansion of its AED business. Cardiac Science has an installed base of over 500,000 AED units in nearly 100 countries worldwide.

Since becoming an Asahi Kasei Group company in 2012, ZOLL has achieved steady growth while actively expanding operations in the field of acute critical care through M&A. The company will continue to deliver life-saving technology through innovation and M&A as it expands further.

  • ZOLL technology in the Chain of Survival
  • *The "Chain of Survival" is a guideline for the essential life-saving process in case of cardiac arrest as set forth by the American Heart Association (AHA), including procedures of reporting to EMS, CPR, defibrillation, and transfer to EMS.

Corporate profile of ZOLL and Cardiac Science

ZOLL Cardiac Science
Establishment 1980 1991
Headquarters Chelmsford, Massachusetts, USA Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA
CEO Jonathan Rennert Devdatt Kurdikar
Business outline Manufacturer of medical devices for acute critical care with a broad lineup of products for resuscitation such as defibrillators including AEDs, having a firm global position in professional products for hospitals and EMS Manufacturer of AEDs widely sold for public facilities such as airports, banks, restaurants, and hotels, having a significant global presence in the field
Employees 4,700 (March 2019) 220 (June 2019)
Main products
  • Defibrillators for hospitals and EMS
  • ZOLL AED Plus™, ZOLL AED Pro™, and other AEDs
  • LifeVest™ wearable defibrillator
    (world's only wearable defibrillator)
  • Thermogard™ temperature management system
  • Data management solutions
    (software for emergency services, AED management system, etc.)
  • Powerheart™ series AEDs
  • Rescue Ready™ AED location management system