Toward the Global Share No.1

Omron's blood pressure monitors are highly evaluated and trusted in its "accuracy" and "usability" worldwide and enjoys the global share No.1 position. Behind this, Omron continuously develops overseas businesses from early 1980s, believing that "hypertension is a common concern for people of the world". Let us introduce how we expand our global activities and promote the idea of blood pressure monitoring at home.

From Entering Overseas Markets to the Global Share No.1 Position

Omron started to sell blood pressure monitors in Germany in 1982. Blood pressure measurement at home was not so much recognized even in Japan at that time. Moreover, it was quite a challenge to move forward without knowing international medical device regulations. In Germany, we brought in the products that met Japanese standard, so later we had to deal with the local regulations. We also have entered into the U.S., but we ended up selling the products by local brand names in stead of Omron's in both countries in 1980s.
However we considered it is essential to have Omron brand business for our growth, so acquired Marshall (the company we had OEM relationship) in the U.S. in 1990. Started with Marshall, Omron set about global business expansion, establishing sales offices in Germany in 1990 and in Hong Kong in 1991 to cultivate sales channels in Europe and Asia Pacific. These activities laid a foundation for our overseas expansion.

At the opening ceremony of Omron Marshall Products, Inc

Paying close attention to the differences of needs in each country, Omron communicated its "accuracy" and "usability" of the products in technological field while improving its services and maintenances. As Omron was recognized, we earned the trust regarding our entire business including both in the technological development and services. For example, Omron's blood pressure monitor has been awarded the gold prize in seven consecutive years by "Best Pharmacy Partner" where pharmacies in Germany select innovative technologies and excellent services.

With these recognitions all around the world, Omron's blood pressure monitor sales marked over 10% annual growth, and became the top manufacturer of the world.
Omron's share of market reached 67% in Japan and 51% in global market today (forecast in FYE2009, based on a monetary amount. Source: Omron Healthcare)
Omron recently strengthened the businesses in Russia and China and secured No.1 share in blood pressure monitor in Russia in March, 2009. Furthermore, Omron expands the sales networks with 20 sales bases and 62 service centers throughout China. Additionally, Omron focuses on growing markets such as India and Mexico and actively worked on improving the brand recognition and promotion of home blood pressure monitoring.

Page Top

Overseas Activities and Spread of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

Cultures, thoughts and life styles vary by country, which applies to the design of healthcare devices. For example, "orange" is used for the color of button for devices in Japan, and "navy" is used in Western countries because orange color can be associated with "emergency / attention" and considered not to be suitable for healthcare devices. Also, the word "fuzzy" for the fuzzy-logic based blood pressure monitor was not known outside of Japan, so we came up with the technological name; "IntelliSense to replace the word.
With these experiences, we now participate in numbers of conferences and events related to hypertension all around the world.
Our recent activities:
- Participated in European Society of Hypertension in Milan and held the symposium with the theme of "New Horizons in Blood Pressure Measurement"
- Held an event themed importance of management of blood pressure at home and exercises in diabetes cooperated with AADE (American Association of Diabetes Educators) in the U.S.
- Supports the blood pressure information web site of AHA (American Heart Association) over 10 years
- Participated in World Hypertension Day in Seoul, Korea and held the free blood pressure monitoring and the health counseling for mountain climbers
- Participated in Philippines Pharmacists Association National Convention and had a lecture titled "Mercury-Free in Medical Field".

Through those activities, Omron's blood pressure monitor was highly recognized in the global market. Omron won the 1st prize in the category of Pharmacist-recommended blood pressure monitor in "Pharmacy Today" published by American Pharmacists Association (February, 2009). 74% pharmacists, the highest rate ever, chose Omron's product. (8% for the runner-up)
Moreover, we also joined the Committee of Blood Pressure Monitor Standard as the representative of Japan from 2002 and the project of WHO (World Health Organization) and has developed the solar-powered blood pressure monitor since 2008 to promote blood pressure measurement in the areas with low medical services.

2008 International Society of Hypertension in Berlin

2009 European Society of Hypertension in Milan

Donated Nebulizers to a Child's Hospital in Cambodia

  1. *1"Fuzzy" originally means "vague". The logic is to optimally control the complicated system constructed by many parameters. Omron launched "digital auto blood pressure monitor with fuzzy logic (HEM-706)" which is the world's first fuzzy logic-based model in 1991. Adapting this logic, it became possible to auto-set the optimal inflation appropriate for each user, which highly influenced the subsequent blood pressure monitors.
  2. *2Other major activities in overseas in 2008 and 2009
    • - Participated in the Joint Academic Convention of European Society of Hypertension and International Society of Hypertension in Germany (Berlin) and held the symposium
    • - Supported "Go Red for Women Campaign 2009" by Singapore Heart Foundation
    • - Free monitoring of blood pressure for more than 1000 people in Bombay in India
    • - Participated in "Japan Sakura Festival" in Vietnam (Hanoi)
    • - Participated in the Malaysia Heart Association