"We're a family-owned business," Don Kennebeck says about his company, Medisales, LLC out of Los Alamitos, CA, a 2008 DOTmed 100 company. "I am working with my son Greg, a partner, my daughter Kristen is a partner, and my son Michael works on refurbishing equipment." Medisales sells, refurbishes and sometimes rents new and pre-owned ultrasound equipment. Son Greg has also been selling aesthetic lasers (i.e. for tattoo removal) which Don says is a nice product to sell with the ultrasounds.

Kennebeck says Medisales has also branched out into selling digital radiography equipment. In 2009, he plans to diversify a little more and get into the C-Arm and portable X-ray business having had requests for those lines. Kennebeck sees "a very growing business" in C-arms.
Kennebeck told DOTmed News he has been in business since 2000 and in ultrasound sales since 1978. The key to success, he feels, is listening. "The way I was brought up was to be a good listener to what people's needs are, to help people. Those traits have helped me immensely in this business." In Kennebeck's experience, a great deal of the medical equipment business is dependent upon referrals and relationships. "I have developed relationships with doctors, hospitals and dealers and they understand that our company stands behind the product and that we are honest and ethical--you get repeat business that way."

"We have inventory and service personnel to make sure the equipment works well," Kennebeck says, with ten employees and a warehouse for the refurbishing, and a showroom for the 30-40 units of equipment. "We refurbish completely and cosmetically and go through the unit to make sure it is working to factory specs, we replace parts and use OEM materials such as new panels or keyboards."

Medisales also has growing international sales. "In 2008 we opened an office in Guadalajara, Mexico with a showroom and sales/service personnel to sell within Mexico and Central America. Because we thought it was important to have a presence in Mexico, we decided to open a facility down there so doctors would know we are a real company, with the inventory available to review, and therefore would have more confidence in our company. The doctors can come in and see the equipment, about 15 units, and can look at different manufacturers in a price range and purchase right there."

Of course, the economy is the big concern for Kennebeck's company. Doctors are hesitant to upgrade, he says, and the fluctuating exchange rate continues. Nonetheless, "Ultrasound is a wonderful, growing business, just that people are in pause mode instead of fast forward. It's great business to be in." He adds, "Anytime you get recognition of DOTmed 100, customers have a sense of confidence to deal with you, as others have rated you, have had good experiences and so on. The confidence level from the rating when people go online to search for a dealer is a very positive valuable thing."

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