Medical remains focus of Varian

Medical equipment is one of four businesses remaining at a trimmed-downVarian Associates. The Palo Alto, CA, high-technology firm soldthe last of five non-core businesses last month, as it completedthe initial phase of a restructuring program. A U.K. broadcasttransmitter company was the last of the five to go.

Varian has raised over $60 million through the sale of nonstrategicbusinesses. These funds will be used in the second phase of thefirm's attempted financial turnaround: improving performance ofits core businesses of electron devices, analytical instruments,semiconductor equipment and medical equipment.

Varian produces linear accelerators for cancer therapy as wellas a variety of components for medical imaging equipment. Thecompany also holds basic patents in medical areas such as magneticresonance spectroscopy (SCAN 2/27/91), although Varian does notmarket MR scanners.

Varian/Eimac of Salt Lake City is a major supplier of replacementx-ray tubes and other imaging components for OEMs and independentservice organizations. Varian Canada Microwave Products is a supplierof power sources to OEMs for use in x-ray generators. The Canadianunit initiated a high-frequency retrofit program for CGR Senographemammography systems last year (SCAN 2/27/91).