Robert A. Hoffman has joined Genesis Magnet Services as General Sales Manager.

The Huntley, IL company provides MR keep-cold services including sales, parts, and cryogen fill. Genesis Magnet Services, celebrating its 10th year in business in 2009, also refurbishes cryo-refrigeration components.

Customers include large health care companies with their own biomedical or clinical engineering groups that service MR systems, and service companies contracted by imaging centers or health care providers.
"We are dealing with the critical component of the magnet--the cold side operations and efficiency," Hoffman explained. He noted that the greater efficiencies of today's MR systems mean less use of helium to keep them operational.

"This equipment being put on the magnets has greatly reduced the cryogenic consumption. They used to require a helium fill two or three times a year. Now with the ultra-efficient equipment the refill may be once every three to six years," he said. "The demand has subsided greatly in the installed base of MRs."

Fortunately this advancement in technology comes at a time of limited helium supply allowing the industry to get through the shortage. Meanwhile, business remains very solid because the cryogenic equipment on the magnet has to be refurbished and replaced on a regular basis.

"The business is in very good stead. We compete against the big OEMs with an alternative and better cost position. With challenges to health care costs today we can give a very good competitive advantage to imaging centers and companies," he said.

Hoffman joins Genesis after serving as the MRI Business Director of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, PA. In his 21 year career, he has held positions from Industrial Gases Sales Representative to MRI KeepCOLD Business Manager.

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