April 2005 Industry News

Demers Ambulances, a Canadian ambulance manufacturer and recipient of Canada’s Top 50 best managed private companies, announced the appointment of Ben Lafortune as vice president of sales and marketing. Bringing 17 years’ executive experience establishing and managing dealer programs in the U.S. for Canada-based Bombardier Inc., Lafortune will lead the expansion of Demers Ambulances worldwide distribution network and be responsible for creating and supporting strategic distribution agreements and new channel opportunities in the U.S. from company headquarters in Quebec. “One of our main objectives this year is to grow and strengthen Demers Ambulances’ U.S. distribution network,” said Yves Demers, president of Demers Ambulances. “Ben’s insight and experience will be instrumental in designing and implementing our sales strategy and maintaining successful customer relationships.” For more, call 800/363-7591…Weldon Technologies, Inc., a recognized and respected supplier of high quality products and services to the ambulance, fire and bus markets for over 60 years, has recently received their ISO 9001:2000 certification. Weldon is an innovation-driven designer, manufacturer and marketer of state-of-the-art illuminating devices and customized electrical solutions for the specialty vehicle market…The Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) Panel of Commissioners recently granted reaccreditation to five agencies. Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) of Little Rock, AR; Northglenn Ambulance, Inc. of Northglenn, CO; Tri-Hospital EMS of Port Huron, MI; City of Henderson Fire Department, Henderson, NV; and Loveland-Symmes Fire Department of Loveland, OH, were all granted three-year reaccreditations. There are currently 93 CAAS-accredited agencies in 30 states and Nova Scotia, with at least 150 agencies working on new applications. Register online at www.caas.org for the next CAAS accreditation seminar, scheduled this month in Las Vegas, NV…Medtec Ambulance Corporation announced that it has introduced a 10-year, limited paint warranty against loss of gloss, cracking and color fading and an exclusive five-year corrosion limited warranty. Medtec is the first in the ambulance industry to offer this additional product quality assurance to EMS providers, the result of converting all paint and paint processes to the Akzo Nobel Paint System. Medtec will continue to provide, as standard, a paint clear coat that provides a high gloss-finish and scratch-resistant protection. This treatment also provides a higher U.V. rating, which protects against sun-fade on the paint…ZOLL Medical Corporation has just released its Fiscal 2004 Annual Report, stating that the company ended fiscal 2004 in a strong position despite mixed sales performance. ZOLL achieved this position, writes Richard A. Packer, chairman and CEO, in his introduction to the report, by “continuing to focus on clinical superiority, ease of use, and responsiveness to customer needs.” He says the strategy led to the doubling of sales in four years to $211.8 million; the achievement of the number one position in the North American hospital market; and record sales of $30.4 million in the AED market—a one-year increase of 61%. Access the report at www.zoll.com.