Parts and service provider DirectMed Imaging has strengthened its position in the CT X-ray tube market through the acquisition of Richardson Healthcare’s operation in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

DirectMed will now serve as the exclusive global distributor for Richardson Electronics’ repaired Siemens Straton Z, MX, and MXP CT X-ray tubes, as well as the ALTA750 and ALTA750G CT X-ray tubes. Notably, the deal also marks DirectMed’s entry into the Canon/Toshiba CT training sector for engineers and biomedical professionals.

As part of the deal, Richardson Electronics entered an exclusive 10-year global supply agreement with DirectMed for repaired Siemens CT X-ray tubes. The LaFox, Illinois-based company will also continue manufacturing ALTA CT X-ray tubes for DirectMed for approximately 12 to 18 months.

“DirectMed has spent five years making strategic investments and now six acquisitions that bring our customers excellence in inventory and service,” said CEO, Brad de Koning. “Richardson Healthcare has built an impressive CT X-ray tube, training, and parts business. We are excited to have their expertise, solutions, and inventory under our roof and to strengthen our Canon/Toshiba aftermarket parts offerings.”

Founded in 2012, DirectMed specializes in MR, CT, and X-ray, and serves healthcare networks, imaging centers, and independent service organizations (ISOs) globally. With over 100,000 parts in stock, the company added Canon/Toshiba component inventory (to complement existing GE HealthCare, Philips, and Siemens Healthineers solutions) in early 2024 through the acquisition of Titanium Medical.

Other recent DirectMed acquisitions include imaging equipment reseller LBN Medical, parts and service provider Technical Prospects, and MR coil design and repair company ScanMed.

Richardson unveiled the ALTA750 tube in May 2018 as a replacement for the CXB-750D/4A tube, (the Varex Imaging MCS-7078) in a range of Canon/Toshiba CT scanners. In 2023, the company unveiled the ALTA750G tube as a replacement for Canon's CXB-750G tube (Varex Imaging MCS-7178A), making it fully compatible with the Aquilion Prime S and Aquilion Prime SP scanners.

“Today’s announcement is aligned with our strategic priorities by reallocating assets to support our fast-growing Green Energy Solutions business," said Edward J. Richardson, chairman, CEO, and president of Richardson Electronics. "We look forward to an ongoing partnership with DirectMed, which we believe is a win-win for both companies. In addition, we believe today’s announcement will simplify our business, improve our financial model, and allow us to prioritize profitable opportunities within our higher growth markets."

In October 2024, Seattle-based private equity firm Frazier Healthcare Partners acquired DirectMed Imaging from NMS Capital as part of its strategy to expand within the healthcare sector.

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