STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 1, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- (photo of Tomas Puusepp available for download, please see link at end of this text) Today, May 1, 2005, Tomas Puusepp assumes the position of President and CEO of Elekta, the international medical-technology group. Laurent Leksell, the company's largest shareholder and former President and CEO, instead assumes a new role, focusing on Group's strategic development, long-term customer relations and expansion into new markets.
As announced in September 2004, The Board of Directors in Elekta AB, has appointed Tomas Puusepp to succeed Laurent Leksell as President, effective May 1, 2005. Tomas Puusepp has also previously been a member of Elekta's Executive Committee, most recently with global responsibility for Elekta's sales, marketing and service operations.
Tomas Puusepp, born 1955, joined Elekta in 1988 and has since then held various executive positions within the Group, including managing Elekta's operations within neurosurgery and as President of Elekta's subsidiary in North America. He has a total of 22 years of senior management experience from international markets for medical technology, including introduction of new clinical solutions and financing systems.
"Elekta stands well prepared for a period of continued profitable growth. Today, we have an organization and a market position which will enable us to further expand the Group's profitability," commented Tomas Puusepp, newly appointed President and CEO of Elekta. ``Elekta have a world-leading and unique product portfolio. We can now offer a fully integrated solution for the whole cancer care process from diagnose and treatment planning to treatment delivery and follow-up. We expect to continue to gain market share and also to expand into new geographic markets. In a long-term perspective, Elekta will develop into a solution partner, able to assume an overall responsibility for quality and efficiency in the clinic's treatment process", concluded Tomas Puusepp.
Laurent Leksell assumes new role, focusing on long-term strategy
Laurent Leksell has been with Elekta since the company's founding in 1972 and has worked full time as the company's President and CEO since 1986. Under his leadership, Elekta has grown from a small research company to a global supplier of advanced medical technology and clinical solutions for treatment of cancer and neurological disorders. Today, the Elektra Group has sales of more than SEK 3.5 billion, 1,700 employees and equipment and software systems installed in more than 3,000 hospitals worldwide.
In his new role, Laurent Leksell will focus on Elekta's long-term development and growth strategy, including establishment of new markets. With an exceedingly competitive portfolio of products, clinical solutions and IT systems as well as an effective, stable and competent international organization, Elekta has the ability to serve and support a global network of leading healthcare providers.
Gerry van Oortmarssen becomes Executive Vice President -- Sales, Marketing & Service
Gerry van Oortmarssen, formerly head of Elekta's market region Europe, today assumes the position of global responsibility for Elekta's sales, marketing and service operations.
Gerry van Oortmarssen has been with Elekta since 1997, coming from senior management positions with ADAC, responsible for the company's European operations, and has extensive experience of sales, marketing and service of advanced medical technologies from Siemens and other companies of the international health care market.
Olof Sanden named Vice President, Region Manager Europe
Europe is Elekta's largest market region with about SEK 1.5 billion in sales. As new manager of the region as of May 1, 2005, Elekta has appointed Olof Sanden, formerly Vice President, Marketing and Business Development.
Olof Sanden was employed at Elekta from 1995 to 1997 and since 2002. In the interim period he was Swedish Trade Commissioner in Germany, with coordinating responsibility also for the Swedish Export Council's activities in Central Europe, United Kingdom and Benelux.
About Elekta
Elekta is an international medical-technology Group, providing meaningful clinical solutions, comprehensive information systems and services for improved cancer care and management of brain disorders. All of Elekta's solutions employ non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques and are therefore clinically effective, gentle on the patient and cost-effective.
Clinical solutions include among others Leksell Gamma Knife(R) for non-invasive treatment of brain surgery and Elekta Synergy(R) for image guided radiation therapy (IGRT). Following the acquisition of IMPAC Medical Systems Inc. in April 2005, The Elekta Group is the world's largest supplier of oncology software.
Elekta's systems and solutions are used at over 3,000 hospitals around the world to treat cancer and manage clinical operations as well as to diagnose and treat brain disorders, including tumors, vascular malformations and functional disorders.
With approx. 1700 employees, Elekta's corporate headquarter is located in Stockholm, Sweden and the company is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange under the ticker EKTAb. More information on Elekta is available at www.elekta.com.
About Elekta
Elekta is an international medical-technology Group, providing meaningful clinical solutions, comprehensive information systems and services for improved cancer care and management of brain disorders. All of Elekta's solutions employ non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques and are therefore clinically effective, gentle on the patient and cost-effective.
Clinical solutions include among others Leksell Gamma Knife(R) for non-invasive treatment of brain surgery and Elekta Synergy(R) for image guided radiation therapy (IGRT). Following the acquisition of IMPAC Medical Systems Inc. in April 2005, The Elekta Group is the world's largest supplier of oncology software.
Elekta's systems and solutions are used at over 3,000 hospitals around the world to treat cancer and manage clinical operations as well as to diagnose and treat brain disorders, including tumors, vascular malformations and functional disorders.
With approx. 1700 employees, Elekta's corporate headquarter is located in Stockholm, Sweden and the company is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange under the ticker EKTAb. More information on Elekta is available at www.elekta.com.
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