CareFusion Expands Specialty Disposables Business with Acquisition from GE Healthcare

CareFusion has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Vital Signs division of GE Healthcare for $500 million, CareFusion announced in a press release. Vital Signs manufactures single-patient-use consumables for respiratory care and anesthesiology. The acquisition will expand CareFusion's Specialty Disposables business by adding global scale and new products for anesthesiology.

CareFusion expects the acquisition to advance its goal of expanding in international markets. The acquisition will accelerate the transformation of the Specialty Disposables business from a distributor to a vertically integrated manufacturer. With the addition of the Vital Signs portfolio, CareFusion will become a full-line provider of more than 20,000 single-use consumables for respiratory care and anesthesiology, including circuits for oxygen and anesthesia, humidification, masks, filters, pressure infusers, and temperature-management products.

The acquisition is expected to be completed for the Vital Signs business in the United States, China and certain other countries by Dec. 31, 2013. The company expects to finalize the remainder of the transaction during its third quarter, ending March 31, 2014, subject to regulatory review and customary closing conditions. Headquartered in Totowa, New Jersey, Vital Signs has more than 1000 employees in three primary locations worldwide, including manufacturing operations in Shenzhen, China, and a global, field-based sales organization.

Source: CareFusion