GE consolidates nuclear operations

GE Medical Systems will consolidate its worldwide nuclear medicinebusiness near Milwaukee headquarters by the middle of next yearas a further step in its streamlining of global operations andexpenses. GE has initiated a transfer of nuclear manufacturingand engineering responsibilities from facilities in Radlett, England,to Milwaukee, according to Brian Johnson, project manager of marketingand communications.

Rather than pulling back from this modality, the move signifiesGE's growing commitment to nuclear medicine, Johnson said.

"We have had a manufacturing facility in Radlett for anumber of years and we've also had some duplicate processes backhere in Milwaukee," Johnson said. "Eliminating theseduplicate processes is going to help us keep costs down to thecustomer while maintaining growth in the nuclear business andour work on new products."

The consolidation was revealed in an internal GEMS memorandumon Sept. 1. The shift is also expected to provide synergies withPET operations in Milwaukee.

GE did not state how many employees will be affected, but Johnsonnoted that the company would like to relocate at least some engineeringand manufacturing personnel from England to the U.S.

"We're making every effort to place people, and some peoplewill probably be offered positions in Milwaukee," Johnsonsaid.

BRIEFLY NOTED:

• Shareholders of Diasonics last month approved the splittingup of the medical imaging and therapeutic vendor into three separatepublic companies: Diasonics Ultrasound, Focal Surgery, and OECMedical Systems. Stock in the first two companies was distributedto Diasonics shareholders last Friday.

On Monday, Diasonics' name was changed officially to OEC MedicalSystems, trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbolOXE. Concurrently, Diasonics Ultrasound began trading on the NASDAQmarket (symbol: DIAU) and Focal Surgery on the OTC Bulletin Board(symbol: FOCL).