B. Braun: Everywhere But Here

Executive Summary

Founded over 160 years ago, Germany-based B. Braun is a leading hospital supplier of medical supplies and products around the globe, combining a broad product and a strong service component. Pursuing a broad-based strategy that seeks to leverage its wide array of products, a la American Hospital Supply Corp., B. Braun officials nonetheless understand the importance of having state-of-the-art products in its many technology categories. Its US business has been less successful, raising the question why strong foreign suppliers often find it difficult to crack the US marketplace. But B. Braun is anything but a cautious, conservative, family-owned company, as its long history might suggest. From manufacturing to corporate culture, the company relentlessly pursues the latest and most up-to-date approaches.