Baxter has been a leader in the health-care industry for over 70
             years, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. The
             company was founded in 1931 as a manufacturer of commercially prepared
             intravenous solutions. Initially, the company sold and distributed the
             products made by another manufacturer, but demand was there, especially in
             the Midwest, and the company went solo. The main values that Dr. Baxter
             had then laid at the foundation of the young company are still actual even
             nowadays, like, for example, a strong accent placed on the research and
             development process. This led to a series of inventions, like the
             Transfuso- Vac vacuum container, for storing blood, which made the company
             one of the most important in its field.
             The 50s saw a period of expansion for Baxter, with the opening of a
             second plant in the United States, in Cleveland, and the purchase of Hyland
             Laboratories, in 1952. Additionally, international expansion marked its
             first step in 1954, when an office was opened in Belgium. The company was
             becoming more and more independent and the relationship with the American
             Hospital Supply Corporation that had been until then the primary
             distributor of Baxter products came to an end during the 60s. The company
             now sold its products solely through its US based team.
             The company continued to invent and develop during the 60s and 70s,
             increasing corporate value and reaching $242 million in 1971. Listing on
             the stock exchange and entry in the top 500 American corporations list,
             published by Forbes, were two of the recognition of its merits. The
             international expansion continues and even China has joined the countries
             As I have mentioned in the beginning, there are generally three
             directions in Baxter's business: biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical
             devices. The biopharmaceuticals that Baxter produces treat imm
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