DeVilbiss Healthcare celebrates 125 years of respiratory care

SOMERSET, Penn., May 8, 2013—This year marks the 125th anniversary of DeVilbiss Healthcare’s dedication to respiratory care. Founded in 1888, DeVilbiss Healthcare has evolved into a leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of respiratory medical products since Dr. Allen DeVilbiss invented the first atomizer.

“DeVilbiss Healthcare has been working since its inception to provide its customers with the highest quality, innovative respiratory care products that meet the needs of the market,” said Ed Murphy, president and CEO. “Throughout history, DeVilbiss strengthened its stance with the addition of many highly regarded products and the expansion of our team to provide our customers with products that are true to Dr. DeVilbiss’ founding values.”

In order to help his patients breathe more freely, DeVilbiss—a nose and throat specialist—began his business by working in his backyard woodshed designing respiratory instruments, thus inventing the atomizer. He tried harder, worked smarter and become an innovator – dedicated to quality of design and its impact on the quality of life. And in 1888, he founded The DeVilbiss Manufacturing Company in Toledo, Ohio, to produce this atomizer, which would replace the process of using a cotton swab to apply medication to patients’ throats.

“Over the years, DeVilbiss has undergone many significant developments in the respiratory products it manufactures, which are now distributed worldwide,” said Christine Brown, SVP of Sales & Marketing for DeVilbiss Healthcare. “DeVilbiss Healthcare is proud to reach this 125-year milestone, offering products that improve the quality of life for the patients who use them.”

Since 1951, the company’s name and ownership have shifted several times, and operations have been expanded to allow for the manufacturing of new products. With its headquarters located in the manufacturing facility in Somerset, Penn., DeVilbiss is honored to offer products that are made in the United States and backed by proven performance.

DeVilbiss Healthcare has designed and manufactured widely recognized products, including the Pulmo-Aide, PulmoMate and PulmoNeb brands, which are some of the world’s top-selling compressor nebulizer systems. The company’s Vacu-Aide Suction Units are also highly regarded, and its IntelliPAP CPAP systems with innovative SmartCode Remote Patient Therapy Monitoring are renowned for their durability and years of reliable performance with a 99-plus percent proven product quality. The FAA-approved DeVilbiss iGo Portable Oxygen System offers oxygen on the go and has been proven safe and reliable, making it the perfect solution to keep pace with an active lifestyle.

Today, DeVilbiss Healthcare is a privately held Limited Liability Corporation owned by Vestar Capital Partners. Vestar is a leading private equity firm specializing in middle-market growth capital investments. For more information please visit www.devilbisshealthcare.com.