Sheffield-based JRI acquired by Chinese firm in £16.7m deal

The Sheffield-based company, which was wholly owned by the charity Orthopaedic Research UK (ORUK), now becomes part of one of the world’s largest 3D-printed orthopaedic implant manufacturers.

A spokesman said: “ JRI Orthopaedics has worked closely with the Beijing-based AK Medical, China’s largest domestic orthopaedic implant producer, for the last three years as part of a strategic growth strategy.

“After securing regulatory approval to sell its own high quality cemented, uncemented and revision hip product portfolio in China, JRI Orthopaedics signed an exclusive distribution deal with AK Medical.

“It has also been sub-manufacturing AK Medical implants at its Chapeltown manufacturing plant where further investment is now planned.”

The acquisition will see JRI Orthopaedics continuing as an autonomous business. There will no change to the company’s management team or Sheffield workforce.

Jerry Agass, JRI Orthopaedics joint managing director, said: “The JRI board and our staff are excited by the agreement reached with AK Medical and look forward to a stronger future as a combined business.

He added: “We have been working successfully together in the Chinese market for the last three years and there is a strong commercial fit between the two companies, both in terms of their business strategies and ethics.”