Trend and tendency 

During the decade between 1980 and 1990 there happened an enormous advance in most fields of science due to the quick development in the chip technology and Information technology. The tendency at the market was to produce goods with a continuous shorter life circle and high diversity of models.

The medical technology in the field of endoscopy took a great advantage due to this situation and suffered a quick transformation due to the rapid advance in the application of video cameras and CRT-monitors.

Technology availability 

Between 1980 and 1990 only a small group of companies in Germany and their competitors in Japan had access to the rigid and flexible endoscopy technology. They set directions and guide lines, which are still today seen as important standards on the market.

During the decade 1990 there has been a change in this picture with the creation of many family companies in Germany and France which had already access to the key for these medical technologies. Video technology and fibre optic technology have become accessible to almost every one. Since then small companies have set up a manufacturing plants and were able to offer an alternative product in OEM facing the traditional manufacturers.

Competition and Market safeguarding strategy

In the middle of the years 1990 the key technologies for the endoscopy were so much spread and available that a great number of new companies were founded by technicians and development people which have left their former employers turning to be their competitors. Also during this time up to today a great fusion wave took place. Many of these family companies with different product for the endoscopy complemented their product line and fusioned in order to face the traditional competitors, which are normally owners of a more comprehensive product line.

Further to the fusion wave many of these companies started in this period transferring part or totally their production lines to East European countries and china in order to increase its competivity.

Still during the years 1980-1990 it has happened a proliferation of trade companies in the endoscopy field at most of the European Community countries and especially in Germany. These companies took the export business for the small but varied circle of producers, which existed and still exist today in Germany and France. With the globalisation due to Internet this trade companies started to loosing their importance as a channel for international business for these producers.

Links to the history of endoscopes:

http://www.mittev.de/41.0.html
http://www.meduniwien.ac.at/histmed/nileimus_lang.htm