Karl Storz Launches First Locally Manufactured Imaging Products in China, Marking a New Chapter in Its Strategic Expansion

Global medical technology company KARL STORZ has announced that its first batch of domestically produced endoscopic imaging products has officially received the Medical Device Registration Certificate from the People's Republic of China, marking another significant milestone in the company’s development in China. Combining KARL STORZ’s globally leading technologies with the advantages of local manufacturing, these newly approved domestic imaging products offer a broader range of options to help Chinese surgical practices achieve more precise, safer, and more efficient medical services. This achievement represents not only a major step forward in implementing KARL STORZ’s China strategy but also strong support for the advancement of China’s healthcare sector.

All products approved this time are manufactured at Karl Storz’s Shanghai production base. The portfolio includes eight core imaging products, such as endoscopic camera control units, imaging modules, and camera heads, which will be prioritized to meet the demands of the Chinese market.

Karl Storz's First Batch of China-Made Imaging Products

The Shanghai manufacturing base is the first production facility established by Karl Storz in the Asia-Pacific region. Adhering to Karl Storz’s globally unified production and management standards, it fully ensures the consistency and reliability of product quality. Since the official announcement of its construction in 2023, Karl Storz has steadily and systematically advanced its localization efforts. This year, the first batch of prototypes manufactured at this facility was showcased at the recently concluded 7th China International Import Expo. All products in this batch have now received regulatory approval, demonstrating the “China speed” characteristic of Karl Storz and underscoring its commitment to a development strategy of deep-rooted presence and steady growth in the Chinese market.

Ms. Ruan Qiong, General Manager of Karl Storz China, stated, “We are delighted to see the approval of Karl Storz’s first batch of localized products in China, realizing our commitment to ‘Made in China, Serving the Chinese Market.’ As Karl Storz’s second-largest market globally, China holds a strategic position. Looking ahead, we will leverage our Shanghai manufacturing base to expand production capacity across a broader product portfolio and accelerate the launch of more innovative products. Simultaneously, we will advance the development of our local R&D system, further deepening localization by pursuing both ‘local production and R&D’ and ‘global innovation introduction.’ We remain fully committed to supporting the sustained, high-quality growth of surgery in China, thereby benefiting patients nationwide.”

As a global leader in medical technology, KARL STORZ consistently adheres to a solution-oriented philosophy. Leveraging its strengths in optics, mechanics, electronics, and software applications, the company continuously translates clinical needs into high-quality products and services, expands its product portfolio to comprehensively cover both reusable and single-use devices, and extends its scope from endoscopy to exoscopy, thereby bridging minimally invasive and open surgical approaches.Building on nearly 80 years of innovation in surgery and its capability to integrate comprehensive healthcare solutions, KARL STORZ centers its strategy on specialized solutions spanning more than ten medical departments and its robust OR1® integrated operating room solutions. By deeply tapping into new quality productive forces, the company supports the high-quality development of diverse healthcare settings—including operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, outpatient/emergency and respiratory endoscopy centers, and training facilities. This approach meets the diversified clinical needs of healthcare professionals and patients across China. In collaboration with local Chinese partners, KARL STORZ places special emphasis on cultivating talent in minimally invasive surgery, delivering higher-quality, more convenient, and more comfortable medical service experiences.