Invacare Re-Establishes HME Group

ELYRIA, Ohio–Invacare Corp. announced Friday that in response
to ongoing changes in the industry, the company will restructure
its North American HME business into a more cost-effective and
efficient business model. The company’s rehab, respiratory,
standard and sleep product divisions will be reorganized into an
umbrella organization called the HME Group.

Carl Will has been appointed group vice president, HME Group.
Previously, Will had responsibility for Invacare’s institutional
and standard products, which have both shown growth under his
leadership, according to a company press release. He will report to
Gerry Blouch, president and COO.

Among those reporting to Will will be Mark Sullivan, vice
president and category manager, rehab products; Judy Kovacs, vice
president and category manager, standard and home care products;
and John Ledek, vice president and category manager, respiratory
products.

Ann MacGregor, former vice president and category manager, sleep
products, will be leaving the company, and all sleep product
activities will be consolidated with the respiratory products
division.

“The HME Group proved to be a cost-effective and efficient
business model, and at a time when the industry continues to change
and evolve, it was important for Invacare to return to this
structure,” Blouch said.

Late last month, the company announced it is discontinuing its
Kuschall line of custom manual wheelchairs in North America, though
it will continue Kuschall operations in Europe where the brand is a
market leader in lightweight and ultra-lightweight chairs.

Invacare said new orders for Kuschall wheelchairs were accepted
up to Dec. 29, 2006, with quotes up to that point to be honored
through Feb. 28. Kuschall parts will still be available in the
U.S., and the company is considering U.S. distribution of Kuschall
chairs through specialty distributors.