Ossur, Reykjavik, Iceland, has announced its acquisition of South-African distributor Orthopaedic Partner Africa (Pty) Ltd. (OP Africa). The new subsidiary will be known as Ossur South Africa and is part of Ossur’s plan to consolidate local sales channels and strengthen its brand on the African continent. This is the first direct investment in South Africa’s O&P sector by an international company, according to an Ossur press release.
Ossur said that the integration of OP Africa will be phased in from July through December 2010, and as of January 2011, Ossur South Africa will provide the full range of Ossur braces, supports, and prosthetic components.
“We are very pleased to be building up our customer base in South Africa and look forward to working with our new colleagues,” Paul Kruijsen, managing director of Ossur Europe BV, said. “We have an excellent team of people at OP Africa, who bring with them their extensive experience of the local O&P market and a great customer focus.”