West Chester, Pa.-based Synthes announced its financial earnings for 2009, which included consolidated sales of nearly $3.4 billion for the year.
The $3.4 billion in sales reflects an 8.9 percent increase in sales (on a local currency basis) when compared to 2008.
The company's net earnings for 2009 totaled $824 million, an increase of 12.6 percent (on a local currency basis) over 2008. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales (also on a local currency basis) decreased by 80 bps mainly due to ongoing productivity gains, according to the release.
For fourth quarter 2009, consolidated sales increased 9.7 percent (on a local currency basis) to $890.3 million.
Synthes President and CEO Michel Orsinger called 2009 a "solid year in respect to revenue and profit growth" and plans to focus on "keeping the innovation cycle high" in 2010, according to the release.
Read the release on Synthes' 2009 earnings.