A global player readies for the future Sulzer Medica ...

Media Information Centerpulse Ltd.
Date May 17, 2002 Andreasstr. 15
Page 1/3 CH-8050 Zürich

Phone +41 (0)1 306 96 96
Fax +41 (0)1 306 96 97
www.centerpulse.com

news news news news A global player readies for the future

Sulzer Medica evolves into Centerpulse

Zurich/New York, May 17, 2002 – The medical technology company Sulzer Medica is adopting a
new name. From June 1, 2002, Sulzer Medica will operate under the “Centerpulse” brand. The
name change is a legal consequence of last-year’s spin-off from Swiss parent company, Sulzer AG,
and now signifies the independence of the globally active medical technology company in its
communications, too.

The new name was presented to shareholders today at the Annual General Meeting in Zurich and
adopted by them. From June 1, 2002, Centerpulse becomes the official company name, replacing
Sulzer Medica. To visualize the transformation process, a new logo and a new corporate design will
be launched concurrent with the name change. The corporate claim, “Implanting trust”, tells its own
story: Further consolidation of confidence in the company and its renowned brands serves as the
primary leitmotif governing relations with physicians, clinics, patients and investors.

Committed to meeting future challenges

Throughout its history, the company has developed, manufactured and distributed medical
technology implants and biological materials for the global orthopedic and cardiovascular markets.
The product range comprises artificial joints, spine and dental implants, trauma products, cardiac
valves, as well as synthetic blood vessels and stents for vascular and non-vascular obstructions, with
numerous product brands known for their quality and proven in the market.

The company’s roots date back to the late ‘60s when Sulzer AG established its own independent
competence center for the manufacture of orthopedic implants. Over the past three decades, it has
grown into a globally active company with numerous subsidiaries. A strategic reorganization in 2001
led to the spin-off of Sulzer’s subsidiary specializing in medical technology.

Transformations in the market will impact heavily on the future of the new company. Says CEO
Stephan Rietiker: “Centerpulse stands for top quality – a goal we achieve through our many years of
experience and expertise, strict quality management and the readiness for ongoing development of
the company and our human resources.”

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Date May 17, 2002
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A strong brand

Centerpulse in the future will consist of six divisions: Orthopedics, Spine-Tech, Dental, Cardiac,
Vascular and Biologics. “Centerpulse is a company dedicated to constant advancement of its core
competencies,” says Rietiker. “Consolidation under a single brand umbrella is a logical step toward
still greater customer focus and organizational transparency.”

The objective is to realign the corporate structure and capitalize on synergies, thus injecting still more
efficiency and dynamics into the organization. “In the final analysis,” says Rietiker, “we are now
systematically clustering the know-how already at hand within the corporate network.” Centerpulse
will continue to demonstrate innovative power.

Continuity in customer relations

The network of company units will now be united under a strong umbrella brand. Nothing will
change in the personal customer servicing that is the fruit of close cooperation. The proven product
brands and distribution structures will be continued in the new organization. “In the future, we will
not only remain the well-known and dependable partner of our customers,” Rietiker assures, “but will
also further expand and enhance our long-standing relations with physicians, patients and partner
companies, based on mutual trust.”

Focus on quality and innovation

In the years ahead, Centerpulse will concentrate on further refinement of its existing products – and
on the development of new products. Not least of all, continuous information exchange with research
scientists, physicians and clinics will serve to support the joint development of further innovative
products. “Because lifelong learning and a culture of dialog are integral elements of the Centerpulse
mission,” Rietiker added. “They constitute the basis of the top-quality standards and innovative
advances which ultimately serve to guarantee customer satisfaction and quality of life for our
patients.”

The Centerpulse brand and the new CI have been developed by the brand and corporate identity
agency Interbrand Zintzmeyer & Lux AG.

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Date May 17, 2002
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THE SAFE HARBOR STATEMENTS UNDER THE U.S. PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM
ACT 1995
This report contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, projections of future
performance of materials and products, financial conditions, results of operations and cash flows,
containing risks and uncertainties. These statements are subject to change based on known risks
detailed from time to time in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings and other
known and unknown risks and various other factors which could cause the actual results or
performance to differ materially from the statement made herein.

Media Inquiries:
Centerpulse Corporate Communications
Beatrice Tschanz
Mobile + 41 (0)79 407 08 78
Phone +41 (0)1 306 96 46
Fax +41 (0)1 306 96 51
E-mail: [email protected]

Ruth Mathias
Mobile + 41 79 730 60 55
Phone +41 (0)1 306 96 40
Fax: +41 (0)1 306 98 37

Investor Relations:
Anja Stubenrauch
Phone +41(0)1 306 98 25
Fax +41(0)1 306 98 31
E-mail: [email protected]
(Swiss Stock Market symbol: SMEN, New York Stock Exchange symbol: SM)

This news release is available on the internet at:
www.centerpulse.com (sulzermedica.com).
The company‘s quarterly report is available on the Sulzer Medica corporate website:
www.centerpulse.com (www.sulzermedica.com) “Investors/Financial reports”