ORLANDO, FL -- Amber Diagnostics, a leading distributor and refurbisher of medical imaging equipment, has been awarded the prestigious GE Healthcare dealership for the company's affiliate location, Amber Diagnostics AFRICA, in Douala, Cameroon.

Upon receipt of the GE Healthcare distributorship, Amber Diagnostics AFRICA secured a $16 million contract to provide new GE Healthcare diagnostic equipment to several provincial hospitals in Cameroon.

"We are honored to be associated with GE Healthcare, upholding their high standards of providing the highest quality radiology and diagnostic equipment and customer service," said Bobby Serros, Amber Diagnostics' founder and president/CEO.

The GE Healthcare dealership and the Cameroon contract come as the latest developments in Amber Diagnostics' commitment to provide new and refurbished radiology equipment to emerging markets. The company opened its Cameroon office in 2004 and now employs 26 people at its 10,000-square-foot facility. With smaller sales offices located in Niger, Mali, and Senegal, Amber Diagnostics AFRICA is quickly becoming associated with affordable equipment as well as the ability to provide service, parts and support throughout Africa, according to Serros.

"When we researched the market for the potential to provide diagnostic equipment within Africa, we quickly came to the conclusion that while providing the equipment was a challenge in itself, the primary challenge was the after sale service and support," Serros said.

To ensure that Amber Diagnostics could support its clients, the company spent the first few years of operation in Africa slowly building a strong infrastructure by providing employee training, stocking parts to support systems, and acquiring highly skilled engineers for field service.

"By making a serious financial investment in creating a strong foundation, we've given our clients greater confidence in their purchase and, most importantly, the service and support of their newly acquired diagnostic equipment," said Dennis Roquand, Amber Diagnostics vice president of international sales.

The potential market share for new radiology equipment for the areas served by Amber Diagnostics AFRICA is valued conservatively at $90 to $100 million annually. The African operations will bring Amber Diagnostics' total worldwide sales volume to $15 million for 2008 with projected sales of $25 million for 2009. Future expansion plans call for distribution centers to be opened in India and a still undecided location in the Middle East.

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