LAS VEGAS – Account managers at Medtrade Spring confirm that it’s been several years since they’ve seen so many first-time exhibitors. Some of those first timers are looking to capitalize on the caretailing trend, while others are hoping to get the word out about new innovations.
Canada-based Praitko Inc, Richmond, Quebec, will be showing its patented Wheelchair Automatic Braking SYstem (WABSY), designed to prevent wheelchair-related falls and injuries. Created after multiple requests from Canadian occupational therapists, the device can be installed on almost all manual Wheelchair makes and models.
Alain Dubois, sales manager, reports that they have sold more than 1,000 systems in the province of Quebec with essentially no promotion. A new U.S. branch of the company called Pratikomedical Inc recently opened with manufacturing space in Lyndonville, Vermont, and Dubois says, “The product is now ready for the United States market.”
The WABSY features: wheels that lock (not a rubbing mechanism) as soon as patients get up; a reliable and efficient design that works with all wheel and floor conditions; and a design that does not alter the wheelchair structure, allowing warranties to remain intact and chairs to still be easily folded for transport. Click Here to see a video of the WABSY in action.
Distributor Western Medical Inc Aims to Show Off CPAP Products and More
LAS VEGAS – In deciding to exhibit for the first time at Medtrade Spring, officials at Western Medical Inc, Vancouver, Wash, believe that attendees will respond to the distributor’s huge variety of available products. As a business-to-business medical supply distributor with more than 50 suppliers, Western has grown its product offerings (from its beginnings in walker boots) to include orthopedic bracing products such as Bell-Horn, compression hosiery (Dr. Comfort), foot products (Pedifix), compression sleeves (OrthoSleeve), and more.
According to Michelle Skimas, director of Sales & Business Development, CPAP products such as a CPAP Comfort Cover, Venture Volt portable CPAP batteries, and SoClean will also be prominently on display when Medtrade Spring convenes March 27-29, 2018, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
“We have many other medical products as well,” says Skimas. “Our mission is to provide our DME and sleep professionals with high-quality, fairly-priced, cash-sale products that will benefit end users. We look for new products that will perform better than any others on the market.”
Western’s Venture Pro Portable CPAP Battery Banks, which also recharge portable oxygen concentrators, were a big reason for exhibiting. The Battery Banks and the CPAP Comfort Covers will also be featured in the New Products Pavilion. “Medtrade Spring is a great fit for our expanding cash sales, retail product lines, and we know that our resellers and their customers and patients are going to win big,” enthuses Skimas. “At our booth, we’ll be giving away some samples of our CPAP Comfort Covers as well as some other fun things. We’ll also have our manufacturer Venture Volt there for folks to meet.”
Even in the volatile DME market, Western has seen 20% growth over last year with brick and mortars in spite of online making gains. “We’ve just purchased a new warehouse and doubled our space,” says Skimas. “We believe the reason for our growth is two-fold: first, we provide the best products to our resellers, and secondly, we support our DMEs and sleep professionals with marketing materials, in-service trainings, sales ideas and campaigns. We don’t believe in just putting product on the shelves. We want to help our resellers be successful.”
Medtrade Spring takes place March 27-29, 2018, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Early Registration ends Jan 31, 2018. Click Here for more information.