From left: Jay Stotlar, Halyard Health; Ted Almon, Claflin; Mike O’Brien, Medtronic.
Claflin Company and its sister company, Claflin Medical Equipment, continue to expand their offering of products and services so their customers can focus on the business of delivering healthcare, Anne-Marie Johnson, vice president of administration, told Repertoire following the companies’ national sales meeting this summer. Claflin and CME are separate corporate entities under the control of parent holding company Almon Co.
For Claflin Medical Equipment, 2015 was a big year, beginning with its February merger with Hospital Associates, an Anaheim, Calif.-based medical equipment distributor; and its acquisition in May of RSI Equipment, a New York-based medical equipment distributor. CME President Normand Chevrette gave attendees an interactive presentation on the strategies and growth of the new national company.
A vendor fair attracted approximately 30 of Claflin’s top suppliers. “We have been holding the event for several years, and the unique format has been very well-received by the manufacturers who participate,” says President and CEO Ted Almon. “Several of these guest companies have both equipment and follow-on supplies in their lines, such that both [Claflin Co. and CME] might have occasion to get involved with them.”
The vendor fair incorporates all aspects of the company’s supply chain partnership, to include finance, operations, replenishment, contracting, customer service, etc., said Johnson. “Claflin strives to treat our vendor supply chain partners as customers. We acknowledge the value they bring to the healthcare industry and want to work together to improve the opportunities for our customers to support the best clinical outcomes.”
Claflin also continues to promote “creative solutions for the challenges facing healthcare providers today,” she continued. “Our resources are not limited to basic ‘off-the-shelf’ distribution. Education, technology and innovation are supported by industry networking.” Ted Almon, for example, is very active in the health-care reform debate and a valuable resource to the local healthcare community and governing representatives, she said.
At the meeting, a number of individuals and companies
were recognized with awards:
• Mike Hollis, Encompass.
• Dan Ingersoll, Molnlycke Health Care.
• Nicole Macleod, DeRoyal.
• Kathy Libutti, Smith & Nephew.
• Sarah Romano, Bionix Medical Technologies.
• Laurie Reline, NDC.
• Penny Caicedo, Halyard Health.