Supplier Spotlight: How Sumed International is taking the pressure off
Sumed International manufacture, supply, and distribute a range of medical equipment and supplies such as beds, mattresses, cushions, and heel products, providing solutions to the pain and discomfort caused by pressure ulcers. THIIS caught up with Graham Collyer, Executive Chairman at Sumed, to find out more about these and the firm’s plans for this year…
Sumed was represented at a few trade shows in 2022. Which events stood out for you the most?
“The shows we have attended last year included The National Association of Educators in Practice, RISE@THIIS, PMG, UK Care Week and The OT Show. All shows have benefited the company, especially PMG and The OT Show where numerous potential new leads were developed.
“We were able to showcase the majority of our product range at each show and were able to carry out live demonstrations to people in attendance at each. We find live demonstrations really help people understand how some of our more complex products, such as the XTech-25 Mattress, work and how they would use it in their respective settings.”
Can you tell us a bit more about the new Integrity Static Cushion range, and the response you have had to it?
“The Integrity Static Cushions are a new range of cushion. At an affordable price, Integrity Static Cushions are suitable all types of users from entry-level to people that are at very high risk of developing pressure ulcers. Comfortable, lightweight and low maintenance, the cushions can be used on most seating surfaces such as wheelchairs.
“The cushion range was launched in 2020 and the response has been great. We manufacture many hundreds of Integrity Cushions a month and are constantly receiving orders for them. The uptake in large quantities by wheelchair services and community service customers has exceeded our expectations.
“Cushions are available in three weight limits, 17 stone, 28 stone and 50 stone, and three different cover types: wipeable, spacer fabric and towelling. All cushions are available in white boxes or printed polythene bags. The range is simple to understand and show to clients/potential purchasers
“Special sizes have a very quick turnaround, usually the same day, and retailers/services do not need to keep large shelf stocks.”
What does the new Uniroll bariatric wheelchairs include?
“Sumed supply three heavy duty wheelchairs: the Goliath, Phonix and Moly. The Goliath was developed for user weights up to 300kg, while the Phonix is suitable for users up to 185kg. One of the key features of the Phonix chair is that it is width-adjustable and if there is a need to reissue the chair to a user with different seat width requirements, by purchasing a seat kit, the chair can be reissued at very little cost. Moly has been designed to support user weights up to 150kg.
“The wheelchairs stand out due to their user weight limit and the long warranty period which is five years for the crossbar and frame on all three wheelchairs. Also, the wheelchairs are patient-specified so the wheelchair can be configured/manufactured to the patient’s needs based on the prescription form for each.”
Are you looking to increase your network of dealers in the UK?
“Sumed is keen to develop a dealer network in the UK for bariatric wheelchairs and cushions. Our retailer network is currently being developed but we have excellent packages for dealers with expertise in wheelchairs and cushions.
“For key dealers we will offer free of charge pressure mapping clinics on-site. These have proved an excellent way to ensure that clients are provided with the correct equipment.”
What support does Sumed offer dealers?
“We offer comprehensive product training, both at the time of appointment and regularly when new staff are recruited.
“For larger customers of cushions and wheelchairs, we will offer consignment stock, and merchandising/stock replenishment.
“For larger customers we offer regular on-site pressure mapping clinics free of charge. This gives customers to chance of checking that their equipment is offering the best possible level of pressure relief. We offer point-of-sale material, including leaflets for customers to take away.”
Can you tell us more about any recent updates?
“We have just introduced a tension-adjustable back on our Goliath 50-stone wheelchair. We also offer mattresses and pressure mapping/monitoring to ensure that clients/patients have the correct surface for sleeping on.”
What new products will Sumed be launching?
“We will be launching the new Integrity Community Bed in the first quarter of this year, which is an ideal dealer proposition when used with Integrity Mattresses.”
How important is research and development at Sumed?
“Sumed works closely with several research organisations such as the universities of Southampton and Birmingham. Whenever we see an opportunity, we work with clinicians in specific areas of research.
“Most recently we have been investing in research in preventing pressure ulcers in a community setting by using continuous pressure monitoring and have published widely in collaboration with investigators. Further details are available on request.”
What achievements are you most proud of at Sumed?
“Sumed has a long history in working with the NHS and social care, providing servicing and maintenance of medical supplies in the healthcare sector. For the past three years, the world has focused on living through the pandemic.
“Sumed was one of the first companies to be classed as key workers and throughout the pandemic, the whole company worked tirelessly supporting colleagues in the NHS and social care. We are so proud of the entire Sumed team which certainly played its part in supporting the NHS at a time when everyone was so reliant on it.
“In April 2021 we won a contract for servicing specialised equipment in Cumbria. In the heart of the pandemic, we introduced this vital service involving the maintenance and testing of lifts and hoists in a community setting. We believe that the implementation of the new service has been a resounding success, with glowing reports from both Cumbria County Council and service users.”
What are your hopes for Sumed in 2023?
“In 2023, we look forward to a year of continued growth in revenue and further investment in our UK manufacturing plant.
“We have several new product launches planned and are looking to extend our service offering by winning new contracts.”
What are your hopes for the sector as a whole, and what do you see as its challenges?
“We hope that funding in social care is increased to free up space in secondary care which is clearly close to capacity. Government choices for funding must be taken wisely to unblock bottlenecks appearing throughout the system.
“Many of our product lines are focused on care in the community and if the Government makes wise funding decisions, it will be good for the sector, good for the entire health and social care system, and good for Sumed.
“The sector needs increased investment – the challenges will be that with the next general election no later than January 2025, we are about to enter a period of political uncertainty in an economy with high inflation. As a country, we need to be buying British but we must invest in the UK and resist the temptation to base our economy on cheap imports from the Far East.”
