3M Health Care UK - Competitors

3M Health Care UK Competition

Now Viewing 3M Health Care UK's competition in: Medical Equipment Distributors

Recent Developments

Squids may be Used in Prosthetics Research - Materials in the beaks of giant squids could lead to improved artificial limbs and other medical devices, according to researchers at University of California-Santa Barbara. The beaks change density from the hard tip to the softer, more flexible base, and could be used to develop prosthetics that match harder materials such as bone on one side, and more elastic materials such as cartilage on the other. Medical equipment distributors are likely to benefit from the development of more realistic prosthetic devices.

Insurers Review Scanning More Carefully - Increasing concern about the overuse of medical scans is causing insurers to review such procedures more carefully before approving reimbursement, which may negatively impact medical equipment distributors supplying materials for scanning devices. Strategies to control imaging costs were limited until 2007, according to the American College of Cardiology, but rising imaging costs have triggered the growth of a new industry of insurance consultants called "radiology benefit managers."

Medicare Approves At-Home Sleep Apnea Testing - At-home sleep testing for obstructive sleep apnea has been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Industry experts say that the decision will lead to increased coverage of obstructive sleep apnea testing by insurance companies. Medical equipment distributors may benefit if more home healthcare companies buy the equipment necessary to provide the service.

Competitive Landscape

Demand depends on the number of people in the US receiving medical treatment. The profitability of individual companies depends on merchandising and efficient delivery systems. Large companies have economies of scale in purchasing, and highly developed infrastructure that allow for efficient distribution. Small companies can compete effectively by specializing in a product line or servicing a local customer base. Annual revenue per employee is about $500,000.

Full Industry Overview For Medical Equipment Distributors

Medical Equipment Distributors Industry Forecast

from Hoover's/D&B subsidiary First Research

The domestic demand of US medical instruments and supplies, an indicator for wholesaler demand, is forecast to grow at an annual compounded rate of 4.8 percent between 2007 and 2012.

Medical Instruments, Supplies Demand Growth Uneven

First Research forecasts are based on INFORUM forecasts that are licensed from the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. (IERF) in College Park, MD. INFORUM's "interindustry-macro" approach to modeling the economy captures the links between industries and the aggregate economy.