About Us
Founded on a commitment to patient care, C. R. Bard is a worldwide leader in disease state management and is globally recognized for its tradition of quality, its commitment to clinical research and breakthrough products that advance the delivery of health care.
It all began almost 100 years ago, when Charles Russell Bard began research for the treatment of urinary discomfort. This led to the development of the first balloon catheter in cooperation with Dr. Frederick E.B. Foley. Clinicians embraced the Foley Catheter, one of many innovations developed by C. R. Bard, Inc. The following are some of Bard’s historical highlights.
1907: Company founder, Charles R. Bard, begins importing GOMENOL to relieve urinary discomfort.
1923: C. R. Bard, Inc. formally incorporated.
1926: Charles R. Bard sells company to John F. Willits and Edson L. Outwin for $18,000.00.
1934: The first marketing of the Foley catheter.
1940: Bard begins distribution of the first American Woven Catheter.
1948: Headquarters moved from New York City to Summit, New Jersey. Net sales exceed $1 million.
1954: Development of the first Arterial Prosthesis by Dr. DeBakey.
1957: Bard produces first sterile-packaged Foley catheters.
1958: Bard develops first Bipolar Temporary Pacing catheters.
1960: Another first for Bard: latex balloon catheters.
1961: Begins making products for Cardiology, Radiology, and Anesthesiology.
1963: Bard produces first disposable pre-packaged catheterization kit. Also, C. R. Bard, Inc. becomes a publicly-owned company.
1964: Begins in-plant manufacture of medical plastic tubing.
1966: Bard acquires USCI, cementing a 25-year association.
1968:Bard is listed on New York Stock Exchange.
1975: Bard acquires William Harvey Research Corp., expanding to cardiopulmonary products for open heart and bypass surgery.
1978: Bard acquires rights to first PTCA catheter.
1979: Begins manufacture of Gruentzig Balloon-Tipped Angioplasty Catheter.
1980: Davol Inc., acquired and Bard develops first PTCA Guide Catheter.
1982: Bard develops first PTCA wire.
1984: Develops first PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriousis) device.
1986: Bard develops first ASD (Arthrectomy) device. Bard acquires American Endoscopy, Inc.
1989: Bard acquires Catheter Technology Corporation (Cath-Tech), yields GROSHONG® Catheter. Acquisition yields BIOPTY® Biopsy Instrument, which becomes Bard Access Systems, Inc. in 1991.
1990: Bard Electrophysiology formed. Bard Interventional Products, Bard Peripheral Technologies, and Specialty Access Products Business Group created.
1993: Bard acquisitions yield Autotransfusion, Angioplasty, Diagnostic, and Urinary Incontinence products.
1994: Net sales exceed $1 billion. Angiomed AG, Cardial S.A., and Vas-Cath, Inc. acquired.
1995: Bard Corporate Healthcare Services formed. Bard acquires MedChem Products, Inc. (topical hemostasis), American Hydrosurgical (laparoscopic irrigation products), and GESCO (PICC and midline access products).
1996: Bard acquires IMPRA, Inc. (vascular prosthetics), Cardiac Assist Division of St. Jude (intra-aortic balloon pumps and catheters) and X-Trode S.r.l. (stents). Bard Medical Products (surgical suction and irrigation, skin and wound care, Foley catheters) formed from Davol, Bard Urological and Bard Patient Care.
1997: Bard transitions to global Disease State Management focus.
1998: Bard sells Coronary Cath Lab business (Angiography & Angioplasty) to Arterial Vascular Engineering (AVE). Bard sells Diagnostic Sciences to Polymedco. Bard sells Global Intra-Aortic Balloon Products to Arrow International, Inc. Bard's Access Division purchases Dymax, and Ultrasound Vascular Access Guidance Business.
1999: Bard acquires Dymax and its SITE-RITE® II Ultrasound Vascular Access Technology. Also, Bard sells its Cardiopulmonary division to LifeStream.
2000: Bard acquires the assets of Surgical Sense, Inc. and its Kugel® Patch product line. Also acquires the assets of Mill-Rose Laboratories, Inc., a worldwide leader of bronchoscopy devices.
2003: Bard acquires the assets of Source Tech Medical, L.L.C. and its Iodine Radioactive Isotope Seed business for Brachytherapy. Also acquires Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy Device Technology from Biomedical Instruments and Products GmbH.
2004: Bard acquires assets of ONUX Medical and its Salute® fixation system for hernia and soft tissue repair. Also acquires Bridger Biomed, Inc., including its ePTFE technology as an anti-adhesion barrier for hernia mesh products. In addition, Bard acquires the RespiShield® suction catheter product line from Sorenson Medical.
2005: Bard acquires certain assets of GENYX Medical, Inc. and the next generation bulking agent for female incontinence.
2006: Bard acquires certain assets from PST, LLC related to new self-expanding nitinol stents technology
2006: Bard acquires Venetec International, Inc. Venetec’s StatLock® line of catheter securement products will be marketed by Bard’s Medical division, located in Covington, Georgia.
