Arjo, Inc.

Established 1957

50 N. Gary Ave., Unit A

Roselle, IL 60172

Phone: [phone] * Fax: (888) 594-ARJO (2756)

Toll Free: [phone]

Web site: www.arjousa.com

Arjo's company name is an abbreviation of its founder's name, Arne Johansson. In 1957, Johansson established Arjo in Eslov, Sweden, a small town in the southern part of the country. When the company was first established, Arjo was manufacturing high-quality components, such as bearing assemblies, for Volvo and other industrial companies. Arjo got its start in the longterm care industry in 1964, introducing the B-2 System, its first automated bathing system, which was marketed in Sweden.

Arjo began marketing in the United States in 1973, and its products were sold through Will Ross Laboratories, a distributor in Milwaukee. In 1979, Paul Johansson, Arne's son, came to the United States and established Arjo, Inc., in Morton Grove, Illinois. At that time, Arjo's first height-adjustable bathing systems sold for about $6,000. This price included a lift transfer system.

In 1985, Arjo purchased two of its largest competitors: Century Manufacturing, which was the premier whirlpool bathing company in the United States, and Mecanaids, Inc., in Europe, which was the premier patient-handling company overseas. These acquisitions were a key factor in establishing Arjo's worldwide marketplace dominance in hygiene and resident-handling products for the longterm care industry.

In 1995, Arjo was acquired by Getinge Industrier AB in Sweden, which today is the world leader in the infection-control market. In 1996, Getinge made a major advance into the U.S. market by acquiring MDT/Castle, the number-two player in sterilization and infection control. In 1999, Getinge acquired Pegasus Airwave, a U.K.-based manufacturer of pressure sore prevention products, which are also distributed in the United States. Also in 1999, Arjo moved to Roselle, Illinois, into a new building with over 55,000 square feet, including a showroom, a warehouse and office space combined under one roof.

Arjo considers itself an innovator that provides high-quality products to the long-term care industry. The company's products are designed to improve caregivers' working conditions while offering a safe, secure and dignified way of providing hygiene and transfer to residents. Arjo was the first company to introduce a complete ergonomic solution, with its often-imitated Back Injury Prevention Program (BIPP). This program has had a dramatic effect in reducing worker's compensation costs. Because of Arjo's industry expertise and documented success, the largest nursing home chain in the United States, Beverly Enterprises, implemented the BIPP program in all 550 of their facilities.

To improve long-term care, Arjo conducts product focus groups with its customers to learn what products and services they feel would benefit the industry. By staying in close contact with its customers, Arjo can develop products and programs that are functional and beneficial to both caregivers and residents.

Arjo's philosophy revolves around the "Positive 8" approach. It focuses on designing an ergonomic environment by planning proper space and providing the proper mechanical aids to allow for correct working techniques. Resident mobility is maintained, which leads to positive benefits for the caregivers and improves the quality of care overall.

Arjo believes that with the ever-increasing cost of care, the only way companies will be able to survive in the future is to supply products and services that can demonstrate positive outcomes, whether they are clinical or financial in nature. People will learn how to do more with less. In the tough environment of the Medicare Prospective Payment System, customers will be seeking out those vendors that can supply these types of programs and share risk.

Arjo would like future historians to describe it as a company that was considered the standard in the industry for supplying the best products and programs, serving the needs of the caregiver and resident in the areas of hygiene, lift transport and therapy. Arjo would also like to be remembered as a company that creates "technology with people in mind" by listening to the problems and needs of those involved in long-term care.