Montréal, Québec, December 12, 2013— Le Groupe Médicus Inc. (the « Corporation » or « Médicus ») announced today that Savard Ortho-Confort (« Savard »), a corporation specializing in orthopedic devices as well as a large array of technical aids for autonomy will join forces with Médicus. Always on the lookout of the technological advancements, Médicus aims to offer the solutions and best practices in the orthotics, prosthetics and orthopedic equipment fields to the Quebec clientele. This transaction will enable the Corporation to get closer to those objectives. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Savard owes its growing success to an experienced, dynamic and diversified team. Originally specializing in orthopedic devices only, the Savard team expanded its fields of expertise to adequately tend to the needs of its clientele with aids to daily living as well as autonomy and mobility support equipments. The team developed an expertise in the support of the ageing persons or in loss of autonomy.
Jacinte Bleau, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, declared: “We are aware of the growing needs of an ageing customer base in Québec and the upcoming "Livre blanc" in the home care organization. The expertise of Savard adds to the Médicus know-how in order to better develop this market keeping in mind its quest for excellence. This grouping, important to Médicus, will enable to offer latest technology products, pool our competences and acquired expertise while ascertaining an appropriate training for our personnel.”
For his part, Stéphane Savard said: "We are proud to be part of this transaction which falls within the scope of growth continuity and that will allow to offer even higher quality and service to the Quebecers of various regions. Autonomy is security at home, the prevention of falls, as well as offering technical support to the people with reduced mobility or loss of autonomy".
Following this transaction, the Bleau family and The Jean Coutu Group (PJC) inc. each own 42.3% of the Corporation's outstanding shares while the Savard group and Christian Fabi own the rest.
About Médicus
Founded in 1957, Médicus operates a network of 13 stores in Québec (under the banners of Médicus, Médicus Sport and Oxybec), manufactures and distributes a wide range of orthopedic devices and rehabilitation and comfort products to orthopedic and prosthetic laboratories, rehabilitation establishments, as well as to health care and physical activity professionals. The corporation works in close cooperation with many doctors and health care professionals in state-of-the-art biomedical technology research and development and employs more than 190 people. Médicus is the leading private sector employer of orthotics & prosthetics graduates in Québec.
About Savard
Savard has been in the orthopedic field for more than 41 years. The Company managed, through the years, to become one of the leaders as regards to orthopedic comfort in the cities of Québec, Trois-Rivières and in the Eastern part of the province. It offers services to the institutional as well as the private sectors. With thousands of products, its dynamic team of 150 employees has the know-how to direct its customers to the appropriate solutions adapted for their autonomy and orthopedic comfort.
About the Jean Coutu Group
The Jean Coutu Group is one of the most trusted names in Canadian pharmacy retailing. The Corporation operates a network of 411 franchised stores located in the provinces of Québec, New Brunswick and Ontario under the banners of PJC Jean Coutu, PJC Clinique, PJC Santé and PJC Santé Beauté, and employs more than 19,000 people. Furthermore, the Jean Coutu Group owns Pro Doc Ltd, a Québec-based subsidiary and manufacturer of generic drugs.
Le Groupe Médicus Inc.
Louise Raymond
Communications Manager
(514) 525-3757 ext. 139