One of the questions we're often asked is, "What does the name 'Teleflex' mean?" The company began in 1943 with one simple product – a multi-strand helical cable and a gear that could convert push-pull motions into rotary motions. Its first use was on Spitfire planes in World War II as a flexible cable to adjust the pilot's radio, which was located behind the cockpit and out of the pilot's reach. The flexible cable was used telescopically to adjust the radio, giving us our name.

 
Over time, Teleflex grew from an operating company focused on engineering to a diversified industrial company and has now transitioned to a pure-play medical device company.

Company Milestones
 
2015:
• Acquired Human Medics, a distributor of Teleflex products in Korea
• Acquired Truphatek, a manufacturer of disposable and reusable laryngoscope devices
• Acquired Trintris Medical, an OEM supplier of balloon catheters
• Acquired exclusive North American distribution rights to AutoFuser® range of disposable pain pump products from Ace Medical
• Acquired N. Stenning & Company, a distributor of Teleflex surgical products in Australia
• Acquired Atsina Surgical, a developer of surgical clips
• Acquired Nostix LLC, Catheter Tip Placement Solutions

2014:
• Acquired assets of MiniLap Technologies, Inc.
• Acquired Mayo Healthcare, a distributor of Teleflex products in Australia

2013:
• Acquired Eon Surgical, Ltd, micro-laparoscopy surgical technology
• Acquired Ultimate Medical and its affiliates, technology for laryngeal masks and other airway management devices
• Acquired Vidacare Corporation, leading technology platform for intraosseous access devices

2012:
• Acquired assets of Axiom Technology Partners, LLC, which makes the EFx family of laparoscopic fascial closure
• Acquired EZ-Blocker™ disposable catheter product line
• Acquired Hotspur Technologies, Inc.
• Divested OEM Orthopedics business
• Acquired assets of LMA International N.V. ("LMA")
• Acquired Semprus BioSciences

2011:
• Divested Marine Business
• Acquired VasoNova Inc.
• Divested Aerospace Business

2010:
• Divested SSI Surgical Services Inc.
• Divested Rigging Services Business
• Divested Actuation Business

2009:
• Divested Airfoil Technologies International
• Divested Power Systems Business

2007:
• Divested Precision-Machined Components Business
• Acquired Specialized Medical Devices.
• Acquired Arrow International.
• Divested Automotive and Industrial Businesses

2006:
• Acquired Taut.

2005:
• Divested Sermatech International

2004:
• Divested Techsonic Industries Inc.
• Acquired Hudson RCI.

2003:
• Acquired CT Devices.

2002:
• Acquired Beere Precision Medical Instruments.

2000:
• Acquired Medical Marketing Group.
• Acquired Mediland (Home health care products).

1997:
• Acquired Medical Sterilization, Inc.
• Acquired Horizon Surgical, Inc.

1996:
• Acquired Asid Bonz (sales and distribution of medical products).

1995:
• Acquired Endoscopy Specialists, Inc. (ESI)

1994:
• Acquired Unimed, UK. (Respiratory and anesthesia company as part of a hospital supply group.)
• Teleflex common stock begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
• Acquired General Medical OEM Division.
• Acquired Europe Medical, Fehling (Pilling Weck) and Simal (Belgium).

1993:
• Acquired Edward Weck Incorporated
• Vertex, Inc. (Boston) Joint venture with a medical service company focused on the nursing home market
• Acquired Nextex (Florida). Fiberoptic company which specializes in light sources, cables and head lamps for surgery.
• Access Surgical, Boston. Joint venture with a U.S. based minimally invasive surgical company.
• A.V. Thomas. Joint venture in India for distribution of the Rüsch product line and Foley catheter manufacturing.

1991:
• Acquired Pilling

1989:
• Acquired Willy Rüsch AG, Stuttgart, Germany
• Ficosa Joint Venture (Spain)

1985:
• Acquired Franklin Medical Ltd.
• Acquired Warne Surgical Products Ltd.

1983:
• TFX Medical – Limerick, Ireland operational

1981:
• Teleflex enters medical business: Applied Polymer, Jaffrey, New Hampshire plant built

1974:
• Limerick, PA Headquarters built

1968:
• Listed on Toronto Stock Exchange

1967:
• Listed America Stock Exchange

1961:
• USA corporation becomes parent company

1943:
• Teleflex Incorporated as a Delaware corporation