Mindray was founded in 1991 in Shenzhen, China, with a mission to deliver high-quality, competitively priced medical devices to make healthcare more accessible and affordable around the world. Over the last 18 years, we have become a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices worldwide. According to Frost & Sullivan, in 2006 we attained leading market share in China both by units sold and revenue for the sale of patient monitoring devices. We also hold leading market share in China in three part differentiation hematology analyzer, biochemistry analyzer and black and white ultrasound imaging system segments.
Our success has been deeply rooted in our commitment to invest approximately 10% of our revenues into R&D every year. With more than 1,530 engineers on staff, we have built a world-class platform that capitalizes on low-cost China based R&D operations and a culture that is driven by ingenuity, and both individual and team performance. We currently offer more than 40 products across three business segments including patient monitoring devices and life support products, in-vitro diagnostic instruments and medical imaging systems. We expect to continue to introduce six to eight new products each year to broaden our market reach. We are confident that our growing comprehensive portfolio of high-quality, affordable products will allow us to continue gaining market share both domestically and internationally.
In China, we have distributed products to over 40,000 hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities. Outside China, we have sold devices in over 190 countries. We began exporting our products for the first time in 2000; and in the second half of 2007, revenues generated from international markets exceeded domestic revenues for the first time in our operating history.
By June 2009, we had a total of approximately 5,600 employees worldwide, and we are expanding our distribution, sales and service network to bring our products closer to end users. We currently have 29 branch companies in major cities of China, as well as 12 overseas subsidiaries in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London, Mexico City, Milan, Moscow, Mumbai, Sao Paulo, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver.
Our Company's American Depositary Shares (ADSs) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol MR.
