Minister Martin TD announces new investment by KCI for Athlone

Global Manufacturing Operation to create up to 250 high quality jobs

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin TD today (Wednesday 19^th September 2007) announced that Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE:KCI), of the US, a global medical technology company, has plans for the establishment of a Global Manufacturing Operation at the IDA Business & Technology Park, Garrycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. The investment, supported by IDA Ireland, will create up to 250 new jobs over the next five years, with about one fifth of the jobs requiring third level graduates. Circa. 50 jobs will be created by the end of Q4 2007, with a further 200 jobs linked to the future growth requirements of the business.

KCI has leadership positions in advanced wound-care and therapeutic surfaces. It designs, manufactures, markets and services a wide range of proprietary products that can improve clinical outcomes and can help reduce the cost of patient care.

Minister Martin, announcing the investment, said “This is excellent news for Athlone and the whole of the Midlands as it will bring new high quality employment opportunities to the region and new benefits for local suppliers in areas such as plastics, electronics, logistics and packaging as KCI plans to locally source a number of components. Ireland faced strong competition for the investment and the factors which influenced the decision in favour of Athlone included the availability of a workforce with experience in the medical technology industry and the Midlands’ record of success with companies in the industry.”

KCI has already recruited 7 people, including a number of senior managers, for the Athlone facility. The operation is to initially locate in a leased building at the IDA Business & Technology Park, Garrycastle. The operation will manufacture KCI’s V.A.C.® Therapy Units and associated sterile products for global markets. In addition, it will manage the supply chain for third party manufacturers, global purchasing, supplier agreements and distribution of KCI’s products.

Catherine Burzik, President and CEO, KCI, said “We are pleased with the opportunity to develop this new manufacturing capability in Athlone and with the support being provided by IDA Ireland. The new Operation will play an integral role in the growth of our global business going forward.”

KCI’s proprietary products include advanced wound-care systems and therapeutic surfaces. Its advanced wound-care systems incorporate its proprietary Vacuum Assisted Closure®, or V.A.C.® Therapy technology. This has been demonstrated clinically to help promote wound healing and can help reduce the cost of treating patients with serious wounds.

KCI’s therapeutic surfaces, include specialty hospital beds, mattress replacement systems and overlays. These are designed to address pulmonary complications associated with immobility, to prevent skin breakdown and assist caregivers in the safe and dignified handling of obese patients. KCI’s infrastructure is designed to meet the specific needs of medical professionals and patients across all healthcare settings, including acute care hospitals, extended care organisations and patients’ homes.

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Note to Editor

KCI, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, US, was established in 1976. It had revenues of US$1.37 billion and net profit of US$195.5 million for 2006. It employs 6,300 people worldwide. KCI has a sales and marketing operation in Ireland, which employs 32 people in Dublin.

For further information –

KCI

Pat Walsh, Murray Consultants Ltd, Tel: (01)4980300 / 087 2269345 pwalsh@murrayconsult.ie

David M. Holmes, KCI, Tel: 001 210-255-6892 david.holmes@kcil.com

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment - Press Office, Tel: 01- 6312200

IDA Ireland – Press Office – 01 6034000