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IMRIS Aligns Organization for Continuing Strong Growth

^{Published on 2009-12-16 13:38:06 - Market Wire}
 

WINNIPEG, Dec. 16 /CNW/ - (TSX: IM) - IMRIS Inc. ("IMRIS" or the "Company") today announced a new organization structure designed to position the Company to continue to meet the growing global demand for IMRIS solutions.

"Our Company is experiencing excellent growth," said David Graves, Chairman and CEO. "With expansion into new geographic markets and strong growth in the IMRIS customer base, we are implementing a new structure that will facilitate our ongoing market expansion and further strengthen our customer focus by moving decision making as close to the customer as possible."

Edward Richmond, President & COO - Effective January 1, 2010 all aspects of customer engagement will be under the leadership of Edward Richmond who has been appointed President & Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Richmond joined IMRIS in 2006 and has previously headed up operations and customer solutions at the Company. In his new role, Mr. Richmond will lead the day to day management of IMRIS reporting to the CEO.

Under the new structure, regional organizations are being established and will be responsible for sales, customer service, program management and product sales support. The regional organizations will be led by the following new appointments, reporting directly to Mr. Richmond:

Peter Richards, Vice President & General Manager, Americas. Mr. Richards has held senior roles with Philips Medical Systems, Toshiba America Medical Systems and joins the Company from Siemens Healthcare where he was Vice President Sales. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maine and an Associate of Science Degree in Radiologic Technology.

Hartmut Warnken, Vice President & General Manager, Europe & Middle East. Most recently Mr. Warnken served as IMRIS's Director Customer Solutions for Europe. Prior to joining IMRIS, he worked at BrainLAB and holds a degree in Architecture, a Masters of Engineering and an MBA.

Functional groups based at the Company's corporate office will complement the regional organizations, delivering customer service, marketing, operations and research and development capabilities to meet the needs of IMRIS's customers and ensure quality and consistency of performance around the world.

"Today's announcement reflects the progress we are making in growing our business globally," added Mr. Graves. "Under Ed's leadership, and with the support of our new regional Vice Presidents and the tremendous depth of talent within our functional teams, IMRIS is well equipped to move forward. I'm pleased to have Ed take on this new role and look forward to his expanded contribution as a key member of our senior team."

About IMRIS

IMRIS (TSX: IM) is a global leader in providing image guided therapy solutions. These solutions feature fully integrated surgical and interventional suites that incorporate magnetic resonance, fluoroscopy and computed tomography to deliver on demand imaging during procedures. The Company's systems serve the neurosurgical, cardiovascular and neurovascular markets and have been selected by leading medical institutions around the world.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains and refers to forward-looking information based on current expectations. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will", "anticipate", "may", "expect", "believe", "prospective", "continue" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. These statements should not be understood as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with such statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and except as may be required by applicable law or stock exchange regulations, the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.