www.karlstorz.com

COMPANY PROFILE

In 1945, in the small town of Tuttlingen, Germany, Professor Karl Storz founded a company that would rapidly develop into a global corporation and international leader in the field of endoscopy. An instrument maker and analyst by trade, Karl Storz combined the dependability and care of a craftsman with the imagination of an artist and inventor. These rare qualities, along with his close contact with numerous physicians, became the most important factors contributing to the success of his fledgling company.

Today, Karl Storz Endoscopy, while still a family-held company, includes 26 worldwide affiliates, five (5) manufacturing facilities and more than 3,000 employees. Production occurs on-site at the Tuttlingen, Germany, headquarters, as well as Schaffhausen, Switzerland; Charlton, Massachusetts; Goleta, California and Vichy, France. All Karl Storz Endoscopy manufacturing facilities meet strict international quality standards and are ISO 9001 certified.

Remaining true to its founder's philosophy, Karl Storz Endoscopy is guided by four primary principles-Innovation, Uncompromising Quality, Comprehensive Product Offerings and Outstanding Service.

Innovation
Karl Storz Endoscopy continues to lead the market with innovative new products in minimally invasive surgery, delivering improved patient outcomes and greater cost efficiency. Continuous technological innovation enables Karl Storz Endoscopy to meet today's challenges and tomorrow's expectations in minimally invasive surgery. Over 400 patents and designs have been granted in Europe and the United States for Karl Storz Endoscopy products.

The Karl Storz Endoscopy reputation for quality and innovation is built on a broad foundation of "industry firsts," including:

1953 Optical Telescope Systems
1956 Extracorporeal Electronic Flash
1960 Cold Light Source
1965 HOPKINS® Rod Lens Optical System
1967 Fiber Optic Endoscopes
1970 Ultrasound Lithotriptor
1982 Automatic High-Frequency Cutting Tool And Coagulation Regulator
1989 Three-Chip Video Camera for Endoscopy
1996 Minilaparoscopy Telescopes, Instruments and Accessories
1999 Direct Coupled Interface (DCI) Technology
2000 OR1™ Integrated Technology and Protection 1™ Repair Program
2001 Autoclavable Megapixel Camera Heads

Uncompromising Quality
Karl Storz Endoscopy believes in superior, cost-effective and reusable instruments. Our product line is vertically integrated; we design and manufacture what we sell and proudly stand behind the Karl Storz name.

Karl Storz Endoscopy maintains complete control over the entire manufacturing process. Traditional craftsmanship combined with cutting-edge technology results in precision-engineered products of the highest quality. Every part and component must comply with our rigorous quality standards, so the finished product is durable and reliable - ready for a lifetime of service.

Comprehensive Product Offering
Karl Storz Endoscopy has five (5) production plants dedicated to more than 14,000 different products, representing eighteen (18) surgical disciplines and specialties. The depth and breadth of the product line demonstrates Karl Storz's commitment to minimally invasive surgery.

Outstanding Service
At Karl Storz Endoscopy, we understand that first-class customer service goes beyond the mere exchange of information. Karl Storz service and support begins with in-service demonstrations on the use, care, handling and storage of instruments and equipment. It continues with in-house and field representatives who are highly trained and committed to serving Karl Storz customers. Technical support from OR trained staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And the company's in-house library offers access to a broad range of product literature, journal reprints and video programs covering all specialties.

Karl Storz Endoscopy also has a strong focus on repair service. Customers benefit from Protection 1™, a unique repair services program designed to protect endoscopic investments from OR downtime, operational inefficiencies, staff frustration, budget overruns and, most important, patient care concerns. As an original manufacturer dedicated to serving its customers, Karl Storz Endoscopy is prepared to offer healthcare providers superior repair/replacement service that includes competitive pricing, minimal turnaround time, simple and convenient transactions and quality products.

Additionally, Karl Storz Endoscopy demonstrates a high regard for training and education. The company supports labs and seminars, Continuing Education (CE) programs, preceptorships and Centers of Excellence. Karl Storz Endoscopy's growing list of Centers of Excellence includes The Cleveland Clinic, Cedars-Sinai Los Angeles, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the Pacific Advanced Center for Advanced Medical Education and Development.

Future Strategic Direction
Going forward, Karl Storz Endoscopy will continue to focus on the needs of the endoscopy marketplace through intensive research and development in core technology areas. At all times, the emphasis will remain on the Karl Storz Endoscopy hallmarks of quality, precision craftsmanship and innovation throughout the entire range of endoscopic specialties.

With over 56 years experience in endoscopy, Karl Storz Endoscopy is uniquely positioned to respond to challenges with products that continue the tradition of excellence for which the company is known.

The Future Has Tradition…Tradition Has Future

Sybill StorzPresident and CEOKarl Storz GmbH & Co. KG

The path to becoming Karl Storz Endoscopy's chief executive officer began at a young age for Mrs. Storz. After completing school in Switzerland, Mrs. Storz began working alongside her father at the family business in Tuttlingen, Germany, learning every department of the medical instrument company. Her responsibilities quickly grew as Karl Storz Endoscopy led the medical device industry in the development of instruments that would create the basis for modern endoscopy and revolutionize surgical procedures.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Mrs. Storz started fulfilling her vision of creating a global endoscopy company by founding production companies in Switzerland and the United States. In addition to the distribution channels she established in the U.S., these entities were later supplemented by a global marketing organization, creating the cornerstone of a worldwide Karl Storz Endoscopy organization that today is present in almost every country in the world.

After the death of her father, Dr. h.c. Karl Albert Storz in May 1996, Mrs. Storz took over as chief executive of Karl Storz Endoscopy, leading the company to global preeminence in minimally invasive surgery. Karl Storz Endoscopy continues to be run as a family business - but with Mrs. Storz's leadership, it is now the largest privately held medical device company in the world. Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG has registered over 100 new patents since her rise to CEO in 1996, and global sales have risen by 75 to 100 percent.

Today, Mrs. Storz concentrates mainly on managing the sales and marketing areas, without losing touch with product development, various research centers and the wishes of doctors. Mrs. Storz is admired and respected by both business partners and employees for her competence, drive and modesty. She is always ready to listen to the needs of her physician clientele, striving to maintain contact by visiting medical conventions, working with leading universities and setting up training centers in Germany and abroad.

Company Headquarters

Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
Mittelstrasse 8
D-78532 Tuttlingen
Germany

Karl Storz Group of Companies-North America

Karl Storz Endoscopy-America, Inc.
600 Corporate Pointe
Culver City, CA 90230

Karl Storz Endovision, Inc.
91 Carpenter Hill Road
Charlton, MA 01507

Karl Storz Imaging, Inc.
University Business Center
175 Cremona Drive
Goleta, CA 93117

Karl Storz Lithotripsy-America, Inc.
1000 Cobb Place Boulevard, Bldg., 400, Ste., 450
Kennesaw, GA 30144

Karl Storz Endoscopy Canada, Ltd.
438 University Avenue, Suite 1800
Ontario, Canada M5G 2K8

Karl Storz Endoscopia Latino America, Inc.
815 N.W. 57th Avenue, Suite 480
Miami, FL 33126

Karl Storz Veterinary Endoscopy-America, Inc,
University Business Center
175 Cremona Drive
Goleta, CA 93117