CROYDON, PA – Bilt-Rite Mastex is a familiar exhibitor at Medtrade, but for Viki Shikhvarger (pictured right), new business development manager at the Pa-based soft goods manufacturer, this year’s Medtrade was a new experience. “My impression of Medtrade was that it was the show of shows if you are in the DME industry,” says Shikhvarger. “We made some great contacts.”
With an admittedly “big focus” in the retail direction, Shikhvarger and colleague Rachel Palmer, office manager, found a receptive audience for the company’s orthopedic soft goods (including neck braces and back braces) that routinely fall in the cash category—along with some insurance reimbursement.
“There may have not been quite as many people as past shows, but the people who visited our booth were more receptive than in previous years,” says Palmer, a veteran of several Medtrades. “I also got the feeling that the people who walked the show were talking about drop shipping and online retailing. It’s unknown right now whether that is a good thing or a bad thing.”
Shikhvarger reports that they had a particularly good response to Bilt-Rite’s transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device, and for Medtrade 2015 they plan to add to that line. “We’re coming out with a wireless TENS unit as well,” she says. “Overall, people liked our booth and were interested in what we had to offer.”
“We are rolling out products that will be even more appealing to the masses,” adds Palmer. “We will have a good handful of new products that are going to be just retail.”