Stryker reports 11% increase in net sales

STRYKER, the US medical equipment manufacturer, which employs about 2,000 people in Ireland, has reported an 11% year-on-year increase in fourth quarter net sales, to $2.2bn (€1.7bn); adding that its earnings per share, for 2011, are likely to meet market expectations of between $3.72 and $3.74.

The Michigan-headquartered company, which makes orthopaedic implants and instruments, added that, on a constant currency basis, it expects to increase group sales by between 3.5% and 6.5% in 2012; saying that if foreign currency exchange rates hold steady at current levels, net sales will be impacted, either positively or negatively, by around 0.5% in the first quarter of the year.

“As we build on the accomplishments of 2011, we believe we are well positioned to deliver solid sales and earnings growth in 2012 through a combination of leveraging our acquisitions, while also continuing to deliver new products stemming from internal innovation,” said the company’s chairman, president and chief executive, Stephen P MacMillan.