Ten years ago, Sam Kanaan began Laproman, LLC, an independently owned and operated affiliate of Endoscopy Corporation of America.

"We came in to offer high quality pre-owned endoscopic systems and components," says Kanaan. "We offer cameras, light sources, parts for instruments, monitors and all things for endoscopy."

With an inventory of over two million parts, Laproman is a full-line supplier of pre-owned and refurbished rigid and flexible endoscopy equipment and other related components manufactured by the major OEMs.

"We are one of the largest stocking dealers of pre-owned endoscopy systems," Kanaan says. "Year after year, we continue to grow percentage-wise."

That goes for the size of the company's team as well. Originally, Laproman had a few employees and operated in a 1,500 square foot office, but today a staff of 11 works out of a 15,000-square-foot headquarters, located in Dearborn, Michigan.

"We had a full renovation in 2007," Kanaan says. "We believe in the business and have knowledge of the business, and whatever the business needs, we give."

Inventory includes camera systems, rigid scopes, surgical instruments, power equipment, insufflators, light sources, and other related products. The entire facility is environmentally controlled using state-of-art HVAC systems.

Kanaan says that about 30 percent of the company's business is from sales overseas, and that international business has helped fuel their growth.

"We have become a reliable resource to a large network of reputable medical equipment dealers and healthcare professionals through out the U.S. and abroad," he says. "For us, honesty is the most important thing when dealing with customers."

Laproman has established representation in several countries including Brazil, Guatemala; the Middle East; and Nigeria, with future plans to expand in Western and Eastern Europe.

The company also provides in-house repair services to used medical equipment dealers and end-users worldwide. Kanaan says that it's something that is not a money maker, but is important for keeping the customers happy.

Kanaan explains that dealing with the concerns of customers helps create repeat business, which is vital for staying on top. In fact, more than 80 percent of Laproman customers are repeat buyers.

"To earn their business, we supply a good product and what we promised in a timely manner," he says. "You need to be honest with yourself and your customer and your work."

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