Direct Healthcare Group (DHG), a leading European manufacturer of pressure care, patient handling and specialist seating solutions, has acquired Carital Group Oy; furthering both its geographical expansion and product solutions. The acquisition will complete at the end of October.
Carital Group, based in Helsinki, Finland, manufacture a comprehensive range of pressure area care and patient handling solutions, including the Optima range, a high-specification, anti-deformation technology mattress, and the TergoGlide range, a patented, ergonomic patient transfer aid that combines a slide sheet with incontinence material.
Through the acquisition of Carital Group, DHG further broaden their presence in the Nordic market, with direct operations across Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Within the UK market, Direct Healthcare Group can now offer a new solution within pressure ulcer prevention, particularly in critical care environments, that specifically targets the prevention of tissue deformation; a process that has recently been proven to occur within the very early stages of pressure ulcer formation.
Furthermore, Direct Healthcare Group continue to invest in their new Safe Moving & Handling division adding the TergoGlide product to the SystemRoMedic brand offering.
The acquisition of Carital Group follows on from DHG’s recent acquisitions of Handicare’s European and Rest of World patient handling and bathroom safety portfolios, and GATE Rehab Development, to form DHG’s Safe Moving & Handling and Bathroom Safety Solutions divisions.
Graham Ewart, CEO at Direct Healthcare Group, said: “The acquisition of Carital Group continues Direct Healthcare Group’s expansion into new, direct European market spaces. Carital’s position as market leader within Finland has been established through decades of innovation and clinical evidence gathering, and we are looking forward to introducing their solutions to the UK. In particular, the Optima anti-deformation mattress offers a solution that specifically targets the early aspects of pressure ulcer development in the most vulnerable patient populations. We are continually looking at ways in which we can significantly impact the lives of our products’ end users and the individuals that care for them.”
Hannu Saarinen, CEO and owner of Carital Group, said: “Carital Group strongly believe in innovation and development of solutions that help healthcare systems deliver better and more efficient care with clinically researched, functional and practical products. Both Carital’s and Direct Healthcare Group’s combined expertise complement each other, and we’re looking forward to continued development and investment as we become part of Direct Healthcare Group.”
In December 2019, ArchiMed, a leading independent investment firm specialised in the healthcare industries, bought out Direct Healthcare Group, providing a significant capital commitment to continue to target strategic acquisitions. The acquisitions will have a particular focus on expanding Direct Healthcare Group’s European presence, whilst simultaneously adding clinically effective products that further the company philosophy of advancing movement and health.