Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SWX: ZMH), a leader in the
orthopaedics industry, and HCA Inc. (NYSE: HCA) announced today that
they have entered into a five year orthopaedic implant supply agreement
at mutually beneficial terms.
"We share a mutual commitment to providing the best possible orthopaedic
patient care while remaining vigilant about controlling costs," said
Jack O. Bovender, Jr., HCA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We
believe the new agreement provides significant financial opportunities
for both organizations."
"This agreement trades discounts for achieved market share and growth,"
said Ray Elliott, Zimmer Chairman, President and CEO. "As important, we
will provide orthopaedic services utilizing our MIS(TM) procedures with
the potential to improve patient outcomes while driving cost savings to
benefit HCA."
The agreement recognizes the value of several unique Zimmer technologies
and provides for the opportunity to introduce Trauma products into
additional HCA facilities.
About Zimmer
Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer is the
worldwide #1 pure-play orthopaedic leader in designing, developing,
manufacturing and marketing reconstructive and spinal implants, trauma
and related orthopaedic surgical products. Zimmer has operations in more
than 24 countries around the world and sells products in more than 100
countries. Zimmer's 2005 sales were approximately $3.3 billion. The
Company is supported by the efforts of more than 6,700 employees
worldwide.
Visit Zimmer on the worldwide web at http://www.zimmer.com
About HCA
HCA, one of the nation's leading providers of healthcare services, is
composed of locally managed facilities that include approximately 180
hospitals and more than 90 outpatient surgery centers in 22 states,
England and Switzerland.
Zimmer Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the safe
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections
about the orthopaedics industry, management's beliefs and assumptions
made by management. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the
use of forward-looking terms such as "may," "will," "expects,"
"believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "assumes,"
"guides," "targets," "forecasts," and "seeks" or the negative of such
terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. These
statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks,
uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and
results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but
are not limited to, our ability to successfully integrate Centerpulse AG
and Implex Corp., the outcome of the Department of Justice investigation
announced in March 2005, price and product competition, rapid
technological development, demographic changes, dependence on new
product development, the mix of our products and services, supply and
prices of raw materials and products, customer demand for our products
and services, control of costs and expenses, our ability to form and
implement alliances, international growth, governmental laws and
regulations affecting our U.S. and international businesses, including
tax obligations and risks, product liability and intellectual property
litigation losses, reimbursement levels from third-party payors, general
industry and market conditions and growth rates and general domestic and
international economic conditions including interest rate and currency
exchange rate fluctuations. For a further list and description of such
risks and uncertainties, see the disclosure materials filed by Zimmer
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Zimmer disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. Readers of this document are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, since, while we believe
the assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are
reasonable, there can be no assurance that these forward-looking
statements will prove to be accurate. This cautionary statement is
applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.
HCA Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current
management expectations. Those forward-looking statements include all
statements other than those made solely with respect to historical fact,
including statements with respect to our contractual relationships with
our vendor partners and other risk factors described in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC. Many of the factors
that will determine our future results are beyond our ability to control
or predict. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the
forward-looking statements contained herein, readers should not place
undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management's
views only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to revise
or update any forward-looking statements, or to make any other
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
All references to "HCA" and the "company" contained in this press
release refer to HCA Inc. and its affiliates. The term "facilities"
refers to entities owned or operated by subsidiaries or affiliates of
HCA.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding HCA's business
which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that
involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and
uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those
contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the
Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal
year.
Zimmer Contacts: Media: Brad Bishop, +1-574-372-4291,
bradley.bishop@zimmer.com ,
Investors: Marc Ostermann, +1-574-371-8515,
marc.ostermann@zimmer.com ,
or Sam Leno, +1-574-372-4790,
sam.leno@zimmer.com ,
all of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.;
HCA Contacts: Media: Jeff Prescott, +1-615-344-5708,
or Investors: Mark Kimbrough, +1-615-344-2688,
both of HCA Inc.