Sunrise Medical Acquires New Manufacturers

Longmont, Colo.

Sunrise Medical has announced the acquisitions of Adaptive Equipment Systems (AES), RehabiliTech and Whitmyer Biomechanics, Inc. The three will form a separate seating division at Sunrise to be headquartered in Baltimore and headed by Tom Novotny, president of AES.

AES, with locations in Baltimore, San Francisco and Seattle, is a full-range manufacturer of wheelchair seating and positioning products, including the Li’l Kiddos line of pediatric hardware and seating, SculptureFit custom-molded seating and the ComforFit line of soft secondary supports.

Kansas City, Kan.-based RehabiliTech manufactures custom-configured wheelchair seating systems, including the ShurShape brand of custom-molded seating as well as the FocusPoint line of wheelchair back cushions.

Tallahassee, Fla.-based Whitmyer Biomechanix manufactures custom head-support systems and accessories.

“We believe that the unique capabilities of these companies complement each other,” said Sunrise Chairman and CEO Mike Hammes. “This will put Sunrise in the premier position in the specialized seating industry in North America.”

Hammes added that Sunrise, currently in the fifth year of a five-year plan, is now positioned to add “strategically focused” acquisitions to its operations.

The company said there are no plans to change the product offerings, service or support at any of the newly acquired companies.