C.R Kennedy Medical - Our History

C.R.Kennedy has had many pivotal points since our founding in 1934 through to the expansion of our Medical Division today

1934 Company Founded Clement Robertson Kennedy starts company, importing photographic and optical products.
	1954 Appointed Pentax Distributor Appointed as the first distributor in the world for Pentax and have continued this business to this day.
1981 Pentax commences manufacturing flexible Endoscopes C.R. Kennedy’s Medical division is created.
	1983 C.R. Kennedy sponsors live workshops with Colonoscopy Pioneer, DR. Hiromi Shinya Dr Hiromi's single doctor/right-turn shortening technique greatly reduces procedure times.
1984 “F2” olonscope insertion tube created Pentax and C.R. Kennedy develop special “F2” colonoscope insertion tube compatible with the faster “Shinya” technique.
	1985 - 1989 Pentax Colonoscopes dominate Australian market The Pentax colonoscope becomes the dominant colonoscope in Australia.
1990 First video Endoscope system released Pentax and C.R. Kennedy release the first video endoscope system at the World Congress of Gastroenterology in 1990 in Sydney. All video systems sold in 1990 are Pentax.
	1990 – 2000 C.R. Kennedy continues to dominate the Australian Gastrointestinal Endoscope market Australia has the highest market share of Pentax endoscopes in the world.
1999 C.R. Kennedy awarded Pentax distributor of the year C.R. Kennedy receives the inaugural “Distributor of the Year 1997/1998” award from Asahi Optical Co. Ltd (the manufacturer of Pentax Endoscopes) in a ceremony in Singapore.
	2000 C.R. Kennedy awarded Pentax distributor of the yearR C.R. Kennedy receives the “Distributor of the Year 1999/2000” at a distributor meeting in Hong Kong.
2006 C.R. Kennedy wins highest sales award C.R. Kennedy wins the highest sales award from Microline Pentax.
	2009 C.R. Kennedy awarded Pentax distributor of the year C.R. Kennedy wins the distributor of the year award from Hoya Corporation (The new owner of Pentax).
2009 C.R. Kennedy appointed as Mirocam distributor C.R. Kennedy is appointed distributor of the “MiroCam” capsule endoscope system from Intromedic, Korea.
	2011 C.R. Kennedy awarded new distributor of the year C.R. Kennedy receives the New Distributor of the Year award from Alphatec Spine.
2012 Pentaxt Medical & C.R. Kennedy partnership ends Hoya Corporation inexplicably severs its relationships with all its top Pentax distributors. The successful 30-year C.R. Kennedy association with Pentax endoscopes comes to a close.
	2011 C.R. Kennedy awarded new distributor of the year C.R. Kennedy receives the New Distributor of the Year award from Alphatec Spine.
2013 C.R. Kennedy sets up new head office in Port Melbourne C.R. Kennedy moves into new Head Office at 300 Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne.
	2013 C.R. Kennedy wins highest sales award C.R. Kennedy wins the Biggest Sales award from Alphatec Spine Inc.
2013 C.R. Kennedy appointed as FujiFilm distributor C.R. Kennedy is appointed exclusive distributor for Fujifilm endoscopes for Australia and New Zealand.
	2014 FujiFilm “600 Series” GI Endoscope system released C.R. Kennedy & Fujifilm release the new “600 Series” GI endoscope system. 24 facilities around Australia switch to using Fujifilm 600 series scopes in next 2 years.
2017 C.R. Kennedy appointed as Richard Wold Distributor C.R. Kennedy is appointed exclusive distributor of the world-famous Richard Wolf range of endoscopes from Knittlingen, Germany.
	2017 FujiFilm Eleuxeo 7000 system released C.R. Kennedy & Fujifilm release the revolutionary new Eluxeo 7000 processor and 700 series GI endoscopes. Since it's release 35 facilities around Australia and New Zealand switch to using Fujifilm 700 series scopes with many more planning to follow suit.