This article is from in the December 2007 issue of DOTmed Business News. A list of registered users that provide sales & service can be found at the end.

It is easy to predict that the overall aging of the population and graying of the baby boomers will bring prosperity to companies that specialize in mobility aids. By 2030, a projected 57.8 million baby boomers will be aged 66 to 84, according to the U.S. Census.

However, other mega trends serve to temper this promising sector somewhat including regulatory pressures to cut healthcare costs, which tighten Medicare reimbursement requirements. The highly competitive industry has also experienced consolidation of firms into fewer but more dominant OEMs. Another factor at play is Asian manufacturing, which drives prices down and can be viewed as both a cause and effect of prevailing market forces. So while profits may not be boosted in proportion to market growth, the age and mobility demands of the U.S. population make wheelchairs, scooters, walkers and mobility aids a growth industry.
"Fifty years ago, nobody dreamed of the type of lifestyle products that are available today," said Reuven Kohn, President, All Time Medical, Monsey, NY. "Baby boomers are a group of smart shoppers that are growing older and will live longer and expect to have mobility aids that really make their life easier and not confining."

Kohn's company is an independent service provider (ISO) that doesn't manufacture the equipment but rather drop ships it to customers including hospitals, clinics and private individuals. Drop shipping from the manufacturer cuts costs since the shipper has no inventory-related overhead. Because manufacturers have dozens of warehouses around the country, delivery is fast and efficient. The ISOs can also offer hospitals, imaging centers, nursing homes, and other providers a choice of products from several manufacturers.




The leading OEMs in this equipment are Invacare, Medline, Sunrise Medical, Graham-Field Health Products, Everest & Jennings, Drive Medical, Pride Mobility Products and many others. Invacare enjoys one of the largest market shares in wheelchairs, walkers and scooters by selling to distributors and nursing homes.

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