Invacare Corp Acquires Altimate Medical
Invacare Corp, Elyria, Ohio, has acquired Altimate Medical Inc, Morton, Minn. Terms of the cash purchase are not being disclosed. Industry experts say Altimate’s standing frame and mobility aid products fit well with Invacare’s Helixx Group, which has a number of highly customized products for the rehab market. Altimate will continue to operate independently under its existing management team focused on growing its core business. “We are pleased to have Altimate join Helixx, and strengthen Helixx’s product offerings and market presence,” said A. Malachi Mixon III, chairman and CEO of Invacare. “The addition of Altimate continues Invacare’s goal of adding accretive acquisitions to our core markets of home and long-term care.”

Graham-Field Launches Lumex Mark I Lift Chair
Graham-Field Health Products Inc, Atlanta, recently launched the Lumex Mark I Lift Chair. The chair features a seat lifting mechanism that lifts the user in a more vertical posture from the chair and helps eliminate the feeling of being pushed out of the chair. The smaller profile of the chair makes it useful for small spaces such as apartments and physician offices. “The Lumex Mark I is ideal for residents who have trouble using standard seating that is often too low for them to use comfortably whether in the home or in an extended care facility,” said Lawrence de la Haba, vice president of marketing.

Harmar Opens West Coast Distribution Facility
Harmar Mobility, Sarasota, Fla, has announced the successful rollout of its West Coast distribution facility in Compton, Calif. “Harmar now reaches in 2 days or less all but nine states in the country,” said Chad Williams, president of Harmar. “With our standard same-day order fulfillment of every single product, coupled with 1- or 2-day delivery, we’re leading our competitors in distribution and customer service.” States that receive Harmar products in 1 or 2 days from the West Coast facility include Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. All other states and Canada continue to receive Harmar products shipped from the Sarasota, Fla-based manufacturing facility. Soon every Harmar lift and ramp will reach all 48 contiguous states and Canada in 2 days or less at reduced shipping rates.

Altimate Medical Granted 2005 MNSHARP Award
Altimate Medical, Morton, Minn, recently received a 2005 MNSHARP Award at the Governor’s Safety Award Luncheon. This is the fifth MNSHARP award that Altimate Medical has received since 1998. MNSHARP Awards are granted by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to companies that meet the requirements of the Minnesota Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program. “At Altimate Medical we strive to keep our company operating at the highest safety level possible to create a positive working environment for our employees,” says safety coordinator Steve Schmidt.

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