Hill-Rom acquires Welch Allyn in $2B deal

Two giants in long-term care devices and products are becoming one. Chicago-based Hill-Rom, which makes everything from adjustable beds for skilled nursing to wound therapy systems, is acquiring patient monitoring device kingpin Welch Allyn, Skaneateles Falls, N.Y., a longstanding market force in bedside monitoring systems and diagnostic testing.

The $2 billion deal will increase Hill-Rom’s footprint in bedside monitoring and point-of-care disease management. Welch Allyn is “the only global company focused exclusively on the needs of Frontline Care with multiple call points, including primary care physicians, nurses, hospitalists, biomeds and specialists, among others,” notes a Hill-Rom corporate announcement on the acquisition.

"As one company, we will have the infrastructure, capabilities and innovative product portfolio to faster pursue a differentiated business model that meets the evolving needs of patients and customers and delivers superior healthcare outcomes across multiple care settings,” noted John J. Greisch, Hill-Rom president and CEO, in a company statement.

The combined company will span 30 countries and include approximately 10,000 employees.

Pamela Tabar

Pamela Tabar was editor-in-chief of I Advance Senior Care from 2013-2018. She has worked as a writer and editor for healthcare business media since 1998, including as News Editor of Healthcare Informatics. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Kent State University and a master’s degree in English from the University of York, England.