Business Bits

By Zoe Francis, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

CooperVision Strengthens Lead in Contact Lens Market

Hacienda-based CooperVision offers the most extensive range of disposable contact lens options worldwide, thanks to the recent acquisition of Sauflon Pharmaceuticals Limited.

The transaction made by CooperVision's parent company, Cooper Companies, Inc., in early August is valued at roughly $1.2 billion.

"We're approaching the daily disposables category with a new, multi-tier model," Daniel G. McBride, CooperVision president, said. "By adding the Sauflon portfolio to our already-strong MyDay and Proclear brand choices, we're bringing forward multiple contact lens families designed and marketed for distinct wearer segments. This approach to the market provides practitioners the ability to offer a daily disposable lens for every eye and every budget, which should further accelerate both practice growth and category momentum."

Sauflon's Clariti, now part of CooperVision, is the only brand of daily disposable silicone hydrogel lenses that spans the entire vision correction spectrum (sphere, toric and multifocal), offering strong performance and cost benefits. The line complements CooperVision's premium MyDay and Proclear 1 day lenses.

CooperVision, spun off from the parent company in 1980, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. Learn more about the company at coopervision.com.
New Covidien System Improves Tissue & Tumor Ablation

A new tumor removal system developed by Covidien provides doctors with predictable results when ablating soft tissue and tumors.

The new Emprint Ablation System with Thermosphere Technology is designed to precisely heat and destroy diseased soft tissue in the liver, lungs and kidneys and liver tumors that cannot be removed with surgery.

"Covidien is dedicated to improving patient safety and simplifying procedural options, and this innovative technology enables physicians to deliver precise ablation directly to soft tissue, including liver tumors," Chuck Brynelsen, president of early technologies at Covidien, said. "By providing predictable spherical ablation zones, this technology gives physicians more choices in terms of approach, further simplifying needle placement and saving planning and procedure time."

Surgical removal of tumors may not be an optimal solution for some patients. A liver tumor ablation procedure, which destroys liver tumors without removing them, can be an alternative to open surgery removal or other treatments.

The new system provides physicians three kinds of spatial energy control - thermal, field and wavelength - to create predictable and spherical ablation zones, regardless of target location, tissue type or changes in tissue properties during a procedure. It can be used in non-surgical procedures directly through the skin, minimally invasive surgery and open surgery.

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes. The company is based in Dublin, Ireland, with offices around the world, including a location in Hacienda. Learn more about the company at covidien.com.
IronPlanet Lands Impressive Government Contract

IronPlanet will manage and sell rolling stock surplus assets of the U.S. Department of Defense under a major contract the company landed in July.

IronPlanet won a competitive bid process managed by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency. The surplus contract has a base term of two years with four one-year renewal options.

"We are very pleased and excited to be officially awarded this contract and to partner with the Defense Logistics Agency," Greg Owens, IronPlanet CEO, said. "We have already begun moving forward, leveraging our existing infrastructure and resources to build the dedicated capabilities necessary to maximize the returns for the U.S. Department of Defense and ultimately, the U.S. taxpayer in selling their surplus rolling stock assets."

Rolling stock includes surplus trucks, trailers, generators, wheel loaders, cranes, crawler tractors and other equipment. In its bid, IronPlanet estimated $50 million to $70 million of rolling stock annually with 75.29 percent revenue share to the Defense Logistics Agency.

Hacienda-based IronPlanet is the leading online marketplace for buying and selling used heavy equipment and trucks. Learn more about the company at ironplanet.com.
Javelin CEO Appointed to Financial Advisory Board

Jim Van Dyke, CEO of Javelin Strategy & Research, has been appointed to the board of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The 25-member consumer advisory board helps to strengthen the bureau's charge to serve and protect consumers by ensuring it receives a wide range of insight, expertise, analysis and information about consumer finance market trends and practices.

"The evolution of always-on, real-time innovations creates new opportunities for prosperity-focused, sustainable financial services capabilities," Van Dyke said. "While regulation is often a method to prevent undesirable activities, I'm on the lookout for the next Check-21-like opportunity so policymakers can open or hasten new innovations that help everyone win. In the weeks and months to come, I welcome hearing a variety of financial service leaders' perspectives on how we can work together to shape more innovation-focused policy."

Javelin is focused on emerging technology capabilities for the financial services industry. By leveraging fact-driven, strategic insights from a wide variety of perspectives, Van Dyke looks forward to helping the bureau drive sustainable prosperity for all participants in financial services, from consumers to banks to innovative technology providers.

Learn more about Hacienda-based Javelin at javelinstrategy.com.

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