Intellect Press Release
Ref – IN092
For immediate release: 08 June 2005
US e-Health Marketplace Offers UK SMEs Growth Opportunities
New Research Provides UK Healthcare IT SMEs with Advice on Expanding their Business in to the US
A new report has been launched today to help UK healthcare IT SME’s enter the US market. The report has been commissioned by Intellect, the trade association for the UK hi-tech industry, the Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).
The report, ‘Entering the US Market - Recommendations for British SMEs’, provides an in-depth analysis of the US healthcare IT market. It comes following preliminary research commissioned by Intellect and UKTI in 2003, which identified the US as one of the top ten markets for UK Healthcare IT SMEs wanting to go global.
While it is apparent that breaking in to the US will be no easy task, there is great potential for growth and UK suppliers need to understand how the US market operates in order to get their foot in the door. The three key factors identified to help UK firms break in to the US are:
- Find a partner
- Enter the market with an innovative product not just a new face
- Understand the complexities of the US healthcare systems
Commenting, Sinead Quinn, Healthcare Programme Manager said, “Intellect wants to ensure that UK Healthcare IT SMEs are able to make informed strategic business decisions about entering new markets and have all the support they need. This research is an excellent analysis showing that, even though breaking in to the US market is difficult, it is not impossible and can be achieved with the right considerations” .
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John Wilkinson, Director General of the ABHI said, “The Healthcare Industries Task Force (HITF), a joint initiative between UK industry and government, has just identified the US as the most important of the five target markets for British healthcare technology firms. This report will help SMEs wanting to tap the potential of the US, who do not have the same export knowledge and resources that large firms have at their disposal”.
The research explains the competitive and technological environment in the US, providing UK healthcare IT SMEs with the vital information they require in order to competitively expand their international business. It covers areas such as: US market trends, drivers, opportunities, entry strategies and barriers; Recommendations for the clinical management systems and tele-health markets; Partnership identification; UK government assistance and support to UK SMEs and How to build profitable American business relationships.
This reports comes as the fourth part of an intense project previously focussing on e-Health markets in Australia, Canada and Germany. Together, the four pieces of research ensure UK companies have free access to relevant information, which will support informed decisions on whether and how to develop business in these markets. The study is available to all UK companies interested in taking advantage of these international markets. The report can be found through Intellect’s website and UKTI’s.
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Notes for Editors
1. Supported by UK Trade & Investment, Intellect and the Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI), the study, ’Entering the US Market - Recommendations for British SMEs’was undertaken by Frost and Sullivan, who researched growth opportunities for UK SMEs considering to expand their business into the American e-health market. The conclusions and recommendations of the research, which focus on clinical management systems and tele-health, will be presented at a half day workshop on Wednesday 8 June 2005.
2. Intellect is the trade association for the UK IT, Telecommunications and Electronics industries in the UK. It represents a membership of over 1000 companies, spanning blue-chip multinationals to early stage technology companies, within an industry that together contributes around 10% of UK GDP and at least 15% of total UK trade. More information about Intellect can be found at
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Intellect Press Contact: Noreen Shah
T: 020 7331 2168 E:
3. The Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI) is the lead trade association for the medical systems industry. This sector comprises not only manufacturers of medical devices, equipment and consumables, but also service companies, distributors, professional groups (such as architects and lawyers), and other suppliers to the medical community.
ABHI Press Contact: Rory Carroll
T: 020 7787 3067 E:
4. UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign businesses focused on the UK as an inward investment location. It brings together the work of teams in 200 British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall. In England, UK Trade & Investment services are delivered through the 45 Business Links and other partners including Regional Development Agencies and Chambers of Commerce, coordinated by nine regional International Trade Directors. The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements for local delivery of services. UK Trade & Investment’s work ensures UK and overseas companies benefit from the organisation’s continuing commitment to provide an integrated service, delivering business opportunities through a global network. For more information visit the web site