Our Legacy

STERIS is the world’s pre-eminent infection prevention, decontamination and critical and surgical care company, with thousands of customers in more than 60 countries. While the corporation was founded in 1987, our history dates back to the founding of The American Sterilizer Company in 1894, a long-time, globally leading innovator of sterilization products.

Today, through a series of strategic acquisitions and continual innovation of new products, STERIS holds one of the broadest portfolios of products in the industry. 
It stands at the forefront of efforts to prevent infection and contamination in healthcare and pharmaceutical environments, and is broadening its reach with products to meet the needs of defense, and industrial markets.

Timeline of key events:

1987

• April 1, 1987: STERIS is incorporated with five employees in Mentor, Ohio (near Cleveland).

• Venture capital is acquired, and research continues on the development of a liquid chemical system for the sterilization of endoscopes.

• A prototype SYSTEM 1® Sterile Processing System is built and patents are filed.

1988

• STERIS 20™ Sterile Concentrate, a single-use peracetic acid sterilant, and its special packaging are designed and developed for use with SYSTEM 1.

• Regulatory reviews are completed and SYSTEM 1 receives market clearance.

• The first SYSTEM 1 Sterile Processing System is manufactured and shipped.

1990

• STERIS begins international shipments of SYSTEM 1.

1991

• STERIS moves to a larger manufacturing facility in Mentor, Ohio.

• SYSTEM 1 is launched in Canada.

• The 1000th SYSTEM 1 unit is shipped.

1992

• STERIS makes an initial public offering of 200,000 shares of common stock at $7 a share, and the Company is registered on the NASDAQ exchange as “STRL.”

• The 1 millionth cup of STERIS 20 sterilant is produced.

1993

• STERIS makes its second public stock offering – 1 million common shares at $13.50 per share.

• STERIS employs 200 people.

1994

• Production of STERIS 20 sterilant reaches the 5 million cup mark.

1995

• STERIS announces a 2-for-1 stock split of common shares.

• STERIS employs 500 people in nine countries.

1996

• STERIS acquires Amsco International, Inc., a premier manufacturer and global supplier of sterilization systems, surgical tables and lights, and related infection prevention products and services for the healthcare and scientific markets. STERIS instantly grows from a 500-employee company to a 3,000-employee organization.

• STERIS acquires Surgicot, Inc, a developer and manufacturer of sterility assurance technologies and products.

• STERIS acquires Calgon Vestal Laboratories, the U.S. market-leading developer and manufacturer of instrument decontamination products, routine and high-risk skin care products, surgical scrubs and hard-surface disinfectants.

1997

• STERIS acquires Joslyn Sterilizer Corporation, an innovative designer and manufacturer of steam and low-temperature gas sterilizers and related process controls and sterilant recovery systems.

• STERIS acquires Isomedix Services, the leading provider of contract sterilization and microbial reduction services for manufacturers and producers of medical and non-medical products.

• The 10,000th SYSTEM 1 unit ships and the 20millionth cup of STERIS 20 is produced.

1998

• STERIS acquires Hausted, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art patient handling and transport systems used for a wide variety of healthcare applications.

• STERIS acquires Royal Sterilization Systems, expanding Isomedix Services.

• STERIS announces a second stock split at 2-for-1, and the Company moves to the New York Stock Exchange and is given the symbol “STE.”

1999

• STERIS acquires Quality Sterilization Services, further expanding Isomedix Services.

• STERIS acquires FoodLabs, Inc., a provider of analytical, product development, and consulting services to the food and agricultural industries, with a particular focus on food safety.

• Les C. Vinney joins STERIS as chief financial officer.

2000

• Bill Sanford, STERIS’s first president and chief executive officer, retires, and Les C. Vinney is appointed president and chief executive officer.

2002

• STERIS receives crisis exemptions from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address anthrax contamination in several government facilities.

2003

• STERIS acquires Hamo Holding AG, a Swiss-based manufacturer of washing/decontamination systems used in healthcare, pharmaceutical and research industries.

2004

• STERIS acquires Albert Browne Limited, a privately held manufacturer of chemical indicators based in the United Kingdom.

2005

• STERIS acquires certain assets from Cosmed, Inc., including five strategically located ethylene oxide sterilization facilities that increase the total number of Isomedix Services locations to 21.

• STERIS’s patented vaporized hydrogen peroxide technology is deployed to Louisiana and Mississippi, where it is used to decontaminate emergency response vehicles, facilities and equipment contaminated with a broad range of pathogens as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

• STERIS acquires FHSurgical SAS, a privately held manufacturer of surgical tables located in Orleans, France, expanding the Company’s offerings to customers in the United States and opening new distribution channels in Europe.

2006

• The Reliance® Endoscope Processing System, an automated, self-contained high-level disinfection capability in gastrointestinal suites at hospitals and surgery centers, receives FDA clearance for sale in the United States.

• Vaprox® sterilant receives expanded EPA clearance for commercial use on surfaces in large enclosed areas, including patient rooms, ambulances, laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturing rooms, hotel rooms, offices, cruise ships, recreational facilities and industrial settings.

• Other newly launched products include the TranSTAT™ Device Transport System, Harmony® LC Surgical Light and Prolystica™ Ultra Concentrate System. Web-based services launched include the ProConnect Response Center™ to expedite service requests, and Isomedix Services’ SteriLink® order tracking system.

2007

• A new production facility in Monterrey, Mexico opens and begins manufacturing and shipping sterilizers to global customers.

• Tetra Pak, a world leader in food processing and packaging solutions, selects STERIS as a strategic global supplier for the provision of sterilization systems on a Tetra Pak beverage filling platform, expanding the Company’s capabilities into an entirely new market.

• STERIS now employs 5,100 people, with representation in more than 19 countries.
• Walter M. Rosebrough Jr. named president and chief executive officer.