Zimmer Recognized for "Excellent Service"
Orthopaedic Surgeon Survey Ranks Zimmer Tops
(WARSAW, IN-August 25, 1999) Zimmer, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY), has been honored for "Excellent Service to the Orthopaedic Surgeon." The award is based on an opinion survey of U.S. orthopaedic surgeons by Knowledge Enterprises, an orthopaedic market consulting firm in collaboration with the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation.
In 1998, Zimmer was cited by Knowledge Enterprises for "Exemplary Joint Replacement Products and Services," again as ranked in an orthopaedic surgeon survey.
Zimmer President Ray Elliott said the most recent survey further reinforces the strategic direction of the company. "We understand that the tradition of trust that exists with our customers is one our company's most valuable assets," he said. "While other companies must focus on internal issues, our focus will continue to be on providing outstanding service and responsiveness and developing new products that complement our core strengths in joint replacement and trauma."
The Zimmer sales force was rated by surgeons as most reliable, most knowledgeable about products, most knowledgeable about clinical issues and most responsive. Surgeons ranked the service provided by the local representative as the attribute most critical to product selection. As a company, Zimmer ranked number one in responsiveness to surgeons' clinical, O.R. and administrative problems and frustrations, and in responding to price pressures.
"This recent award is more validation that Zimmer owns a superior position in the mind of the orthopaedic surgeon", said Shirley Engelhardt, president and founder of Knowledge Enterprises. "Even after normalizing for market share, Zimmer ranked at the top of 11 out of 17 service categories, ranging from responsiveness to availability of its reps to the company's responsiveness to the clinical and administrative needs of the surgeon. No other company even came close."
John Engelhardt, chief executive officer of Knowledge Enterprises, said the survey was significant, "in that due to the inclusion of all orthopaedic surgical disciplines, it points to Zimmer as perhaps the strongest brand in the industry at large."
Zimmer also ranked first among companies in other attributes surveyed, such as best medical education program, trade show presence and value-added services.
Zimmer is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of orthopaedic implants and related equipment and supplies. The company provides a broad range of joint replacement, fracture management and patient care products. Founded in 1927, Zimmer became a member of the Bristol-Myers Squibb family of companies in 1972.
