Collaboration Adds Vital Signs Solution to Welch Allyn International Product Portfolio
SKANEATELES FALLS, N.Y. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Welch Allyn, a leading global provider of medical diagnostic equipment, today announced it has partnered with Pelstar, LLC, maker of Health o meter® Professional Scales, to co-brand the Health o meter line of professional medical weight scales for distribution in markets outside the United States and Canada.
The agreement will allow Welch Allyn to offer for the first time a line of high-quality professional medical weight scales as part of its existing portfolio of vital signs devices aimed at giving frontline care providers quick and accurate ways to assess, diagnose and treat patients in low-acuity settings. In turn, Pelstar, which holds the number one market position in the U.S. for professional medical scales, will now have the opportunity to expand into various high-growth international markets by leveraging the wide-reaching distribution channels of Welch Allyn. Health o meter Professional Scales have been distributed by Welch Allyn in Latin America for nearly 20 years, and both companies expect the enhanced partnership to allow for greater opportunities in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia.
"For almost 100 years, Welch Allyn has been a leader in diagnostic devices and vital signs collection with its outstanding blood pressure, thermometry and SpO2 technologies. The addition of the Health o meter Professional Scales to our product portfolio is in keeping with our strategic direction to increase focus on low-acuity care settings, expand our global presence and develop a single diagnostics solution platform to enhance and optimize clinician workflow," said Jon Soderberg, vice president of international business development at Welch Allyn. "The market for professional medical scales is a competitive one, but with the innovative Health o meter line and our extensive international distribution channels and complementary product portfolio, we are confident that we can put an even more comprehensive set of vital signs devices into the hands of frontline healthcare providers everywhere."
Now branded as the Health o meter Professional product line distributed by Welch Allyn, this joint offering will include electronic column scales for physician and hospital settings, pediatric scales, wheelchair and bariatric scales, and traditional mechanical scales designed to accommodate every kind of patient need quickly and accurately. Most of the scales operate digitally and, in addition to accurate weight measurement, also measure height and calculate body mass index (BMI) with an easy-to-read display-features valued by the medical professional.
"Most visits to the doctor start with the measurement of vital signs-blood pressure, temperature, and, of course, weight, height and BMI-all essential information in the proper care and treatment of the patient," said Dan Maeir, CEO of Pelstar, LLC. "Almost everywhere you find a Health o meter Professional Scale, it seems you also find a Welch Allyn vital signs device in use, so this partnership is a natural fit. We are proud to partner with Welch Allyn on this product line, and we look forward to the opportunities and benefits this creates not only for both companies, but, most importantly, for healthcare providers and their patients around the world."
Backed by both companies' commitment to innovation, Welch Allyn / Health o meter Professional Scales eliminate documentation errors by reducing the need for manual weight, height, and BMI recording, while also increasing accuracy with standard USB and serial port connectivity options to electronic health record systems and direct connectivity to select vital signs devices like the Welch Allyn Spot Vital Signs® LXi.
The Welch Allyn/Health o meter Professional products are expected to be available under the new co-branded label as of January 2011.
About Welch Allyn
Founded in 1915 and headquartered in Skaneateles Falls, NY (USA), Welch Allyn is a leading global provider of medical diagnostic equipment and a complete range of digital and connected solutions. With over 2,600 employees working in 26 different countries, Welch Allyn specializes in helping doctors, nurses, and other frontline practitioners across the globe provide the best patient care by developing innovative products, breakthrough technologies, and cutting-edge solutions that help them see more patients, detect more conditions, and improve more lives. More information about Welch Allyn and its complete line of connected products and solutions may be found at www.welchallyn.com.
About Health o meter® Professional Scales
Health o meter Professional Scales have been the healthcare industry's leading scale brand since 1919, and over 15 million Health o meter Professional Scales have been sold throughout the world. Pelstar, LLC, the maker of Health o meter Professional Scales, is a certified ISO 13485 company and is committed to offering its customers premium quality scales at the right price. More information about Health o meter Professional Scales can be found at www.homscales.com.
CONTACT:
Welch Allyn
Jamie Arnold, APR, +1-315-685-4599
Public Relations Manager
arnoldj@welchallyn.com