Manuf. who compete
Description
Collection
Title:
Manuf. who compete
Text:
More responses:
I have been following the dialog concerning manufacturers (distributors) who
do or do not sell to non Orthotic & prosthetic companies. I understand your
concerns and as a distributor remain sensitive to the fact that a journey
into another market could lead to a response by our customers that could
negatively impact sales. My opinion is that this is the most significant
obstacle to companies that consider selling in other markets. The last 10
years have produced significant changes to everyone and the need to remain
profitable has brought this subject to more than one board meeting.
While Cascade has chosen to remain loyal to the profession I would
suspect that more and more companies are looking into alternative markets in
order to grow and remain profitable. While your list is informative it is not
complete nor accurate. I am pleased that we have been listed correctly and
would be happy to assist you in correctly identifying companies and their
listing accuracy. Then let the list recipients make an informed buying
decision.
I'm interested in hearing a reasoned explanation for why a manufacturer
of medical products is obligated to sell exclusively to one particular
profession. There has been much discussion over the past few weeks about
those suppliers who do and those who do not. Is there some reason other
than the self-interest of those of us in O/P for objecting
indiscriminately (e.g. making no distinction between custom and
off-the-shelf devices) to this practice?
I am interested in hearing the thoughts that are out there, and am not
simply trying to make my opinion known with this message. Most of what
I have heard sounds to me like protectionism. (Mr. Barr seems to be one
of the few dis-interested parties in this discussion, since he does not
appear to gain any financial advantage by having an opinion one way or
the other.) As a strong advocate for high professional standards I do
not like much of what I see in our profession, and among those who
provide the same type of services that we do. I don't believe, however,
that most of the criticisms I hear from O/P are either balanced or
altruistic.
Do your best to convince me that if I develop a new hernia truss (back
brace, thumb splint, etc, etc) I have a moral/ethical/professional
obligation to distribute it only through an orthotic/prosthetic facilty.
Response to above:
As the originator of this topic, I should respond by repeating a disclaimer I
made earlier. This list is to be used (or ignored) as each individual deems
appropriate. As has been stated earlier, any company may do what it wants to
stay competitive and I have never suggested otherwise. Personally, I would
rather be aware of which of my vendors are working to get business from me or
are selling to doctors or insurance companies for less than they sell to me
for. Yes, I suppose that is a form of protectionism, but I want to stay in
business so I can continue to help those who need my services.
For those of you who are interested in knowing which manufacturers/suppliers
sell to O&P exclusively, here is the updated list (as of 8- 27-99)compiled
from responses:
(Anatomical Concepts and Ossur added)
Thanks to all who responded and if any errors are found, please let me know.
company providing sells to P&O exclusively
Ace Medical halos no
Air cast pneumatic splints no
Anatomical Concepts pressure reducing AFO yes
AOA soft goods no
Bauerfeind soft goods no
Bledsoe leg no
Bremmer halos no
Breg knee orthoses no
Camp soft goods no
Camp SWASH child's hip orthosis yes
Cascade Ortho. o&p supplies yes
Cascade DAFO child's afo no
Centec soft goods no
Century XXII knees yes
College Park prosthetic feet yes
Don Joy knee orthoses no
Dynasplint dynamic splints no
Empi dynamic splints no
Flex Foot prosthetic feet yes
Generation II knee orthoses no
Hope spinal ext.orthoses yes
Innovation Sports knee orthoses no
Jim Smith Sales o&p supplieis yes
Kingsley o&p supplies yes
Knitrite o&p supplies yes
Lennox Hill custom KOs no
Medical Designs L'Nard afos no
OrthoAmerica prefab. orthoses no
Ossur prosthetic components yes
Otto Bock prosthetic components. yes
OTS orthotic joints yes
RCAI no
Townsend knee orthoses no
Tri Bar soft goods yes
Ultraflex dynamic splints yes
I have been following the dialog concerning manufacturers (distributors) who
do or do not sell to non Orthotic & prosthetic companies. I understand your
concerns and as a distributor remain sensitive to the fact that a journey
into another market could lead to a response by our customers that could
negatively impact sales. My opinion is that this is the most significant
obstacle to companies that consider selling in other markets. The last 10
years have produced significant changes to everyone and the need to remain
profitable has brought this subject to more than one board meeting.
While Cascade has chosen to remain loyal to the profession I would
suspect that more and more companies are looking into alternative markets in
order to grow and remain profitable. While your list is informative it is not
complete nor accurate. I am pleased that we have been listed correctly and
would be happy to assist you in correctly identifying companies and their
listing accuracy. Then let the list recipients make an informed buying
decision.
I'm interested in hearing a reasoned explanation for why a manufacturer
of medical products is obligated to sell exclusively to one particular
profession. There has been much discussion over the past few weeks about
those suppliers who do and those who do not. Is there some reason other
than the self-interest of those of us in O/P for objecting
indiscriminately (e.g. making no distinction between custom and
off-the-shelf devices) to this practice?
I am interested in hearing the thoughts that are out there, and am not
simply trying to make my opinion known with this message. Most of what
I have heard sounds to me like protectionism. (Mr. Barr seems to be one
of the few dis-interested parties in this discussion, since he does not
appear to gain any financial advantage by having an opinion one way or
the other.) As a strong advocate for high professional standards I do
not like much of what I see in our profession, and among those who
provide the same type of services that we do. I don't believe, however,
that most of the criticisms I hear from O/P are either balanced or
altruistic.
Do your best to convince me that if I develop a new hernia truss (back
brace, thumb splint, etc, etc) I have a moral/ethical/professional
obligation to distribute it only through an orthotic/prosthetic facilty.
Response to above:
As the originator of this topic, I should respond by repeating a disclaimer I
made earlier. This list is to be used (or ignored) as each individual deems
appropriate. As has been stated earlier, any company may do what it wants to
stay competitive and I have never suggested otherwise. Personally, I would
rather be aware of which of my vendors are working to get business from me or
are selling to doctors or insurance companies for less than they sell to me
for. Yes, I suppose that is a form of protectionism, but I want to stay in
business so I can continue to help those who need my services.
For those of you who are interested in knowing which manufacturers/suppliers
sell to O&P exclusively, here is the updated list (as of 8- 27-99)compiled
from responses:
(Anatomical Concepts and Ossur added)
Thanks to all who responded and if any errors are found, please let me know.
company providing sells to P&O exclusively
Ace Medical halos no
Air cast pneumatic splints no
Anatomical Concepts pressure reducing AFO yes
AOA soft goods no
Bauerfeind soft goods no
Bledsoe leg no
Bremmer halos no
Breg knee orthoses no
Camp soft goods no
Camp SWASH child's hip orthosis yes
Cascade Ortho. o&p supplies yes
Cascade DAFO child's afo no
Centec soft goods no
Century XXII knees yes
College Park prosthetic feet yes
Don Joy knee orthoses no
Dynasplint dynamic splints no
Empi dynamic splints no
Flex Foot prosthetic feet yes
Generation II knee orthoses no
Hope spinal ext.orthoses yes
Innovation Sports knee orthoses no
Jim Smith Sales o&p supplieis yes
Kingsley o&p supplies yes
Knitrite o&p supplies yes
Lennox Hill custom KOs no
Medical Designs L'Nard afos no
OrthoAmerica prefab. orthoses no
Ossur prosthetic components yes
Otto Bock prosthetic components. yes
OTS orthotic joints yes
RCAI no
Townsend knee orthoses no
Tri Bar soft goods yes
Ultraflex dynamic splints yes
Citation
“Manuf. who compete,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 15, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/212558.
