Symmetry Medical to Acquire Specialty Surgical Instruments

WARSAW, Ind. -- Symmetry Medical Inc., an independent provider of products to the global orthopedic device industry and other medical markets, announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Specialty Surgical Instruments (SSI) and Ultra Containers of America (UCA), a leading provider of specialty surgical instruments and sterilization containers, for $15.1 million in cash on a debt free basis, subject to certain adjustments. Symmetry Medical has also entered into a two-year agreement for a potential earn out with SSI and UCA. The acquisition is expected to close by

Sept. 30, 2007.

SSI, based in Nashville, has a 30-year history of offering targeted sales, marketing and distribution programs to serve the key surgical specialties of neurological, spine, orthopedics, cardiovascular, ENT, laparoscopy and ophthalmology. The company's portfolio includes its own line of Ultra Instruments and includes the UCA - Ultra Container system, a closed container system that is designed to store and transport sterilized instruments. The Ultra Instruments and UCA Ultra Containers are offered through SSI distribution channels and will continue with Symmetry Medical. SSI's Ultra Instruments and Ultra Containers will now be part of Symmetry Medical's standard products. SSI and UCA reported 2006 revenues of approximately $21 million. SSI has an in-house sales staff of 25 representatives.

Brian Moore, president and CEO, stated, "SSI is an excellent strategic fit for Symmetry Medical. This acquisition will be consistent with our long-term efforts to further diversify our business into other medical device markets and helps strengthen our competitive advantage as a Total Solutions(R) provider. SSI's strong distribution channels offer the opportunity to increase our penetration directly into hospitals and deliver additional cross-selling opportunities to our customers. Further, the acquisition will extend Symmetry's product reach into surgical specialties where we previously had limited presence, including cardiovascular, ENT and ophthalmology."

Source: Symmetry Medical Inc.

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