Here's a realistic view coming from someone I know in supply chain very well: trocars, endo devices, etc are going to all fall under "commodity products" within 5-6 yrs if they aren't already. With the recent acquisitions of Medtronic buying Covidien, JNJ being liquid and having cash in the bank, companies like Stryker making strategic acquisitions to fill voids in their offerings, and hospitals preferring to do business with big companies that can save them serious $$$$, Applied will be an after thought before you know it. Sure, you're cheaper than Ethicon up front, but then what? You can't offer jacksh*t long term! I look at Applied like the band nerds in HS that couldn't get a date to the prom. Nobody wants to be associated with you losers
