Seating Matters acquires bathing and Burnett postural support products from Care & Independence
Seating Matters, which is part of the Tierco Healthcare Group, has announced the acquisition of the trade and assets of the bathing and Burnett Remould divisions from Care & Independence Ltd (C&I), a GBUK Group Company.
The acquired business will now be rebranded as Tierco by Seating Matters—a new division within the Tierco Healthcare Group, dedicated to bathing, patient hygiene and postural support products.
Martin Tierney, Director of Tierco Healthcare Group, shared, “This marks an exciting milestone in our journey. The acquisition allows us to expand on our vision, welcome a highly skilled team and support patients and caregivers in more ways than ever before.
“I’ve seen firsthand how this equipment has been able to help highly dependent patients, and we’re delighted to continue the good work of Care & Independence. We bring our clinical expertise, assessment skills, and manufacturing knowledge to further develop this essential range of equipment so it can better serve patients and caregivers.
“The Tierco Healthcare Group, including Seating Matters, is now strengthened with the addition of the showroom and manufacturing facility in Wigan. This demonstrates our commitment to local employment and customers across England and the UK.”
This acquisition only relates to the bathing range of specialist shower chairs, bathing cradles, shower trolleys, Burnett Remould postural support products and the Comfort Value shower chair range. The remainder of Care & Independence’s sling business will continue unchanged under the GBUK Group.
Jaclyn Murphy, Head of GBUK’s Patient Handling Division, commented, “We’re glad to see our bathing and Burnett products go to a good home with Tierco by Seating Matters. This allows us to focus on our core products of slings under the GBUK umbrella.”
The Tierco team have stated that continuity of care is essential, and want to reassure customers that this transition will be smooth, with no disruption to service. In fact, they’ve already stated an intention to work on exciting developments in R&D, clinical research, training, and improved lead times for the bathing, hygiene and postural support products.
Going forward all orders and enquiries should now be placed with Tierco by Seating Matters. There will be a 90-day handover period when Tierco by Seating Matters and Care & Independence will work closely together to ensure a smooth transition for patients and clinicians.
Care & Independence and Tierco by Seating Matters will work together to honour existing appointments and scheduled deliveries during the handover period.
Martin Tierney says that there will be no change for staff and that Tierco will welcome the existing C&I team in Wigan into its team, ensuring continuity of expertise and the proud manufacturing tradition they have in northwest England.
From 1 June 2025 customer care and order processing will now be handled by Tierco by Seating Matters, rather than Care & Independence’s Bicester depot.
Deliveries will be fulfilled from the existing Wigan manufacturing facility, which will be renamed Tierco by Seating Matters. Payments for all products despatched after 1 June 2025 should be made to Tierco by Seating Matters, not Care & Independence Ltd.
Updated banking details will be provided and can be verified by phone if required.
Orders placed before 1 June 2025 will be fulfilled under existing terms, but for products despatched after the transition date, we ask you to update your payment details as invoicing will be handled by Tierco by Seating Matters.
Branding and labelling will transition over the coming months to ‘Tierco by Seating Matters.
Clinical support, training, and education will remain at the same high standard, with plans for further improvements and additional resources over time.
Leon White, formerly of Care & Independence, has joined Tierco by Seating Matters and will be available for customer enquiries. He can be reached at +44 7833 687069.
The Tierco by Seating Matters customer care team is also available to assist with any questions or support needs from 1 June 2025.
“We are excited to bring our expertise, clinical knowledge, and customer-focused approach to this new venture. With our investment in product innovation, training, and improved service, we look forward to supporting you now and in the future,” Martin Tierney concluded.
For any questions or further information, please contact info@tierco.com or call 028 777 666 24.
Oxfordshire-headquartered Care & Independence manufactures safe patient moving and handling equipment. Its outgoing managing director Ian Jones is interviewed in the latest May issue of THIS Magazine.
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