Picker International

Picker International was a prominent global manufacturer of medical diagnostic imaging equipment, specializing in Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and nuclear medicine systems. Originally founded as Picker X-Ray in 1915, the company became a subsidiary of the British General Electric Company (GEC) in 1981, eventually operating as Picker International. The company was a pioneer in the development of early MRI technology and held a significant share of the global radiology market throughout the late 20th century. In 1999, following a corporate restructuring of its parent company, it was renamed Marconi Medical Systems. The business was ultimately acquired by Philips in 2001 for approximately $1.1 billion, where its technologies were integrated into the Philips Healthcare portfolio.