Leeds Precision Instruments to Focus on Forensics, Accessories and Service
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., February 17, 2011 -- Olympus has announced that effective April 1, it will begin selling its biomedical and industrial microscopes and imaging instruments directly throughout 14 additional states, including Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Michigan.
Until now, these areas have been served by Minneapolis-based Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc. (Leeds Instruments, Inc. in Texas), which has been a long-time Olympus dealer. Leeds has made a strategic decision to focus on designing, manufacturing and selling its forensic comparison microscopes, forensic spectral imaging systems and custom machine vision inspection systems in the U.S. and throughout the world; Leeds also will continue its microscope repair and service business in the U.S. Leeds will continue its relationship with Olympus, utilizing Olympus optical products in its forensic microscope and imaging systems.
“These states are key to our future success, with their many important university, research, hospital and manufacturing centers,” said Osamu Joji, Vice President and General Manager of the Scientific Equipment Group at Olympus America Inc. “With our greatly expanded capabilities throughout the region, we look forward to working directly with these important customers, bringing them excellent products, technical support and training. We very much appreciate all that Leeds has done to expand the microscopy business in its region over the years and are eager to move ahead.”
“This change will allow Leeds to pursue further growth in the forensics field, which is now a primary focus of our company,” said John Crouch, CEO of Leeds. “In addition, we hope to enhance our custom inspection, microscope accessory and service businesses. These four areas have been pillars of our success.”
The two companies are working together closely to ensure a smooth transition in the region. As part of the new arrangement, many of Leeds’ sales staff will become Olympus employees, allowing many customers to continue working with their current sales representatives.
Olympus microscopes are widely used in neuroscience, cell biology and other high-end research applications, along with the pathology, clinical laboratory, educational, semiconductor, metrology, product inspection and engineering fields. To ensure that microscope users throughout the U.S. receive the highest-quality knowledge, products and service, Olympus offers a combination of direct and dealer sales, depending on the region.
For more information, contact Richard Baucom, Director of Sales, Olympus Scientific Equipment Group. He can be reached at (484) 896-5061 or email [email protected].
About Olympus America Inc., Scientific Equipment Group
Olympus America Inc., Scientific Equipment Group provides innovative microscope imaging solutions for researchers, doctors, clinicians, engineers and educators. Olympus bioscience microscope systems offer unsurpassed optics, superior construction and system versatility to meet the ever-changing needs of microscopists, paving the way for future advances inlife science. Olympus industrial microscopes and metrology systems play a leading role in precision R&D, engineering and manufacturing applications in fields as diverse as aerospace, the automotive industry, electronics, materials science/metallurgy, medical devices, photovoltaics and semiconductors.
About Olympus
Olympus is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering innovative solutions in its core business areas: Medical and Surgical Products, Life Science Imaging Systems, Industrial Measurement andImaging Instruments and Cameras and Audio Products.
Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and affiliates worldwide to leverage R&D investment in precision technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines. These include:
- Gastrointestinal endoscopes, accessories, and minimally invasive surgical products;
- Advanced research, clinical and educational microscopes and research and educational digital imaging systems;
- Industrial research, engineering, test, inspection and measuring instruments; and
- Digital cameras and voice recorders.
Olympus serves the healthcare field with integrated product solutions and financial, educational and consulting services that help customers to efficiently, reliably and more easily achieve exceptional results. Olympus develops breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality for the consumer and professional photography markets, and also is the leader in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational microscopes. For more information, visit www.olympusamerica.com.
About Leeds
Leeds Precision Instruments, Inc. has been in business for more than 40 years, providing custom microscope accessories and vision inspection systems; and providing outstanding microscope repair and service. Leeds Forensic Systems, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and supplier of forensic comparison microscopes and forensic spectral imaging systems throughout the world. For more information on Leeds, visit www.leedsmicro.com.