ICU's Continued Efforts on Smiths Integration Could Bring Synergies in the Long Term

With roots as a supplier of infusion consumables, ICU Medical enhanced its product mix through the transformative acquisition of Hospira Infusion Systems from Pfizer in 2017 by bringing infusion pumps, a broader consumables offering, and intravenous solutions manufacturing into the fold. The firm has become a more complete provider with the acquisition of Smiths Medical (various IV-related products and other medical supplies) in 2022. In our view, ICU’s focus on building a more comprehensive portfolio adds to the long-term stability of its revenue mix thanks to lengthy contracts and a hallmark razor-and-blade model in its systems business. We think unrivaled scale in consumables may help it to generate excess returns eventually, though its portfolio has lost differentiation. In infusion systems, although we believe ICU faces an uphill battle in competing with leader Becton Dickson, we believe the space offers an attractive opportunity to exploit high switching costs.