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Events That Defined Us

Obex Medical was established in 1983 by our founding shareholders Linda Robert and Lindsay Spilman.
1985
1985
1985

Stephen Jones joins Obex as Product Specialist in Anaesthesia/Critical Care. AMS becomes one of our supply partners and annual sales hit $1m for the first time. Obex sponsors the inaugural CRISP (Cardiology, Radiology, Interventional, Special Procedure Nurses) Nurses Meeting is held.

1989
1989
1989

Bill and Gayle Cook who founded Cook Medical visit New Zealand to meet New Zealand customers

1990
1990
1990

Greenlane purchases first tissue valve from Obex. Obex part of the investigation team lead by Sir Brian Barratt Boyes for Medtronic Intact Heart Valve clinical trial. First Medtronic heart valve sold.

1991
1991
1991

Obex sponsors the inaugural Tongariro Cardiac Surgery meeting.

1992
1992
1992

Obex sponsors the inaugural Vascular Society meeting in Wairakei with Key Guest Speaker Dr Colin Strachan, Brighton, UK.

1993
1993
1993

Obex celebrates first 10 years.

1996
1996
1996

Obex moves to new premises at 303 Manukau Road,, Epsom. Salzmann Medico joins the Obex family with introduction of Venosan Medical Compression Stockings.

1997
1997
1997

Obex support first Endoluminal procedure at Auckland Hospital with Cook technology

1998
1998
1998

Obex celebrates achieving annual revenue sales of $10m for the first time.

2000
2000
2000

Obex becomes a foundation member of the Independent Medical Distributors (IMD) Group.

2001
2001
2001

Obex partners with Given Imaging from Israel to introduce Pillcam to the NZ market and the first capsule endoscopy case takes place.

2003
2003
2003

Obex celebrates 20 years.

2004
2004
2004

Obex is awarded 3rd Place in the JRA Best Places To Work in New Zealand Survey and employs 25 staff.

2007
2007
2007

Pieter Wijnhoud is appointed as first CEO for Obex Medical

2008
2008
2008

Obex celebrates 25 years. A separate Obex Logistics Centre is opened at Boston Road, Mt Eden.

2011
2011
2011

Obex Conference and Education Centre is opened. Obex is awarded the JRA Best Workplaces Five-Year League Award for consistently ranking as one of New Zealand’s Best Workplaces.

2011
2011
2011

Cook Group Founder William A Cook dies at 80.

2012
2012
2012

Obex opens purpose built Warehouse and Logistics facility in Great South Road, Penrose.

2013
2013
2013

Obex celebrates 30 Years.

2014
2014
2014

The Growth Fund partners with Obex’s Founders and management team to pursue the opportunities available to the business both in New Zealand and Australia.

2015
2015
2015

Obex acquires Pacific Surgical Ltd.

2018
2018
2018

Obex Sales & Marketing Conference, celebrating 35 years.

2019
2019
2019

Obex acquires Surgico Medical & Surgical Ltd.

2020
2020
2020

Obex acquires Downs Distributors Ltd.

2021
February
2021
2021

Obex and Downs Distributors first joint sales and marketing meeting.

2021
2021
2021

Obex moves to Bupa House, Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket.

2021
June
2021
2021

Bunzl Group acquires Obex Medical

2022
December
2022
2022

Bunzl plc, Obex’s parent company acquires Toomac Holdings Ltd.

2023
Obex celebrates 40 years.
2023
2023

Pieter Wijnhoud (MD, Obex) with Frank van Zanten (CEO, Bunzl plc).

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