Getting to Know: Mr Subash and the Medical Equipment Product Division
Mr CK Subash Babu is the Assistant Director of Canon’s Medical Equipment Product (MEP) Division, heading it across the region. While Mr. Subash’s department is doing very well in the healthcare industry, he acknowledges that few may know about this branch of Canon as compared to its more popular consumer products. However, he is confident that this will change in the near future.
We sat down with Mr Subash to delve deeper into what his department does, the challenges they face and how his team works together to overcome them.
Tell us about your responsibilities here in Canon Singapore.
I manage all aspects of Medical Equipment Product business in the Canon Singapore, seeking opportunities for sustained growth in sales and profit. My responsibilities include developing and implementing business plans, budget management, as well as developing and managing dealer networks. I also take charge of other less tangible aspects such as team building and establishing synergy between the small team and various dealer channels across the region.
What are some of the common challenges faced by your department, especially in the healthcare industry?
The major challenge I face is how to get more people using our equipment in the relatively small and saturated industry. This includes looking at the healthcare needs of developed and developing countries, the latter which may not have the necessary funds to invest in our products.Furthermore, compared to the photography and business solutions industries, not many people are aware that Canon has a stake in the healthcare field. But I’m confident this will change in the near future – especially with the recent acquisition of Toshiba Medical Systems by Canon Inc., which has a notable presence in the healthcare industry.
How do you and your team overcome these challenges?
We establish close working relationships with our business partners, leveraging on their comprehensive solutions. We also strive to understand the needs of customers, matching them with the right products so they get the most value out of their investment.
The healthcare sector probably has specialised machinery that many of us don’t know much about. Can you tell us about some of the products that you and your team are in charge of?
Our medical equipment can be categorised into 3 areas:
1) Digital Radiography (DR): Our Flat Panel Detector (FPD) solutions provide instant images of medical X-Rays with substantially reduced radiation.
2) Ophthalmology (Eye Care): The Retinal/Fundus Camera provides photographs of human ocular retinal images through the pupil. We also have the Tonometer that measures eye pressure, as well as Refractometer/Keratometer that measures the curvature of the cornea - this is used to diagnose vision problems.
3) Steriliser (Low-Temperature Sterilisation Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Steriliser): This is used to sterilise medical devices and instruments.
Canon has been the pioneer in the Digital Radiography application of healthcare. For example, we provided the breakthrough Flat Panel Detector (FPD) technology, which revolutionised how Medical X-Rays work - instead of waiting for these images to be generated, the FPD offers an almost instant viewing of them, saving alot of time and money. The high-quality images also enable doctors to diagnose the patient’s condition in a more precise and efficient manner. Similarly, Canon is also the leader in Retinal Camera imaging, having introduced the world’s first non-mydriatic Retinal Camera.
Healthcare requires precision and cutting-edge technology. Besides having the right tech for the job, what else do companies in the industry need to take note of?
For the business to succeed, it is extremely important to have the right partner. With the diversity and various disciplines of the healthcare business in mind, it is critical to collaborate with the right partners, each of whom have a specialisation and experience in their respective fields.
Canon’s presence in the healthcare field through medical equipment products reflects the company’s corporate philosophy of kyosei, which translates to ‘living and working together for the common good’. Our contribution to others’ well-being enables us to run our business in a sustainable way, while also doing our part and giving back to the community.