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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

    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_2

    1989

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

  • 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

    Obex sponsors the inaugural Tongariro Cardiac Surgery meeting.

  • 1992

    1992

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

  • 1993_b

    1993

    Obex celebrates first 10 years.

  • 1996_b

    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

    Obex support first Endoluminal procedure at Auckland Hospital with Cook technology.

  • 1998

    1998

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

  • 2000_b

    2000

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

  • 2001

    2001

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

  • LR & LS

    2003

    Obex celebrates 20 years.

  • 2004

    2004

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

  • 2007_2

    2007

    Pieter Wijnhoud is appointed as first CEO for Obex Medical

  • 2008

    2008

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

  • 2011a

    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.

  • 2011b

    2011

    Cook Group Founder William A Cook dies at 80.

  • Warehouse&Logistics 10

    2012

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

  • PW-LR-LS-30th-Anniversary_2

    2013

    Obex celebrates 30 Years.

  • image001

    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

    Obex acquires Pacific Surgical Ltd.

  • Big-Picture-2[4]

    2018

    Obex Sales & Marketing Conference, celebrating 35 years.

  • 2019

    Obex acquires Surgico Medical & Surgical Ltd.

  • 2020

    Obex acquires Downs Distributors Ltd.

  • obex&downs

    2021

    February

    Obex and Downs Distributors first joint sales and marketing meeting.

  • BUPA-House

    2021

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

  • bunzl-logo-large[1]

    2021

    June

    Bunzl Group acquires Obex Medical

  • 2022

    December

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

  • 2023

    Obex celebrates 40 years.

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

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