History

THE FIRST STEPS

1957 ARJO is established by Arne Johansson in Sweden. Originally the company is a producer of components and machine parts for other manufacturers, including medical equipment companies. Arne Johansson is one of the firsts to identify the need for bathing and transfer equipment within elderly care and hospitals. He develops an innovative range of products to answer these needs in Sweden.

1969 Huntleigh Healthcare’s predecessor Flowtron Aire Ltd is established.

1972 The first height-adjustable bathtub is introduced. This innovation means that carers can adjust the tub to the correct working height, an ergonomic feature that still permeates many of our products.

1975 Huntleigh Group Ltd is formed.

STEPPING INTO THE WORLD
In the late 1960s, ARJO starts to export product to Western Europe. The company soon discovers that there is a great need for its products and a rapid international expansion of sales companies begins. During the 70th sales companies in UK; Germany, France, Belgium and US are established. Huntleigh is established in the United States of America.

STEPPING UP
During the 80’s, ARJO becomes a strong player in the international market through the acquisitions of Century and Mecanaids. The expansion of sales companies continues and at the end of the decade two highly functional and competitive patient handling products are launched. Sales companies in the Netherlands, Norway and Canada are established.

Huntleigh has a number of successes during this period with two Queen’s Award for Export Achievement, development of groundbreaking technology, and flotation on the London Stock Exchange.

1983 Huntleigh Technology PLC is formed.

1985 Huntleigh Technology PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Huntleigh Healthcare, Germany is established.

1989 Huntleigh introduces the groundbreaking Nimbus® Dynamic Flotation System, and establishes the UK Rental Organisation. ARJO introduces the first generation of SARA (standing and raising aid) and sets the standard for active lifting. The first Maxilift with its revolutionary 4-point open hanger bar is also launched this year.

1992 Huntleigh Healthcare Australia is established. ARJO launches the Rhapsody with its unique keyhole shaped bathtub. The first Back Injury Prevention Programme (BIPP) is established by ARJO in the U.S., leading the way for the later days injury prevention initiative Corpus and Diligent. The ARJO sales company in Austria is established.

1993 ARJO is listed on the Stockholm and London stock exchanges. Huntleigh acquires the Nesbit Evans Group. Huntleigh Healthcare France is established.

TAKING THE COMPANY ONE STEP FURTHER
During the second half of the 90’s a number of important initiatives are taken. The first “ARJO Guidebook for Architects and Planners” is launched, the strategy of expanding the international sales organisation continues as does the acquisitions of other manufacturers with the objective of broadening the customer offering. During this period, ARJO also becomes a part of the Swedish Group Getinge.

1995 ARJO merges with the Swedish company Getinge and represents the business area “Extended Care” within Getinge. The first “ARJO Guidebook for Architects and Planners”, the "Architect Tools CD", and the training programme CAPN (Certified ARJO Planner of Nursing Homes) are launched and a new standard of knowledge is established throughout the company. Huntleigh continues the path of establishing new subsidiaries.

1996 The lift hygiene chair Alenti and the lift bath trolley Miranti are launched, introducing a completely new level of design and a range of new product features.
Huntleigh acquires Hoskins Healthcare and establishes Dutch and Belgian subsidiaries.

1997 ARJO acquires the U.S. company GTTi to expand business in the assisted living segment with the product Freedom Bath. Huntleigh establishes Huntleigh Healthcare in Denmark and Latin America. ARJO acquires the U.S.. The long-term ergonomic training programme Corpus is established in the Netherlands.

1998 ARJO acquires Pegasus in the UK to establish the Wound Care product range, and the Dutch company Medibo is also acquired.

1999 Huntleigh opens a Singapore Office and acquires its Swedish Distributor. Huntleigh Healthcare South Africa is established. ARJO launches Carendo, a new and innovative height adjustable shower chair, setting new standards for showering products.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
2000 ARJO expands the range of hygiene products through the acquisition of Parker Bath in the UK, and the patient handling range through the acquisition Gestion Techno-Médic in Canada. The ARJO sales company in Ireland and Huntleigh Healthcare Spain are established.

2001 The acquisition of Joyce Healthcare in Australia gives Huntleigh its first substantial non-UK manufacturing site.

2002 Huntleigh acquires the Hejsani Duncan, a South African based hospital equipment manufacturer. Renray becomes a full subsidiary with the purchase of remaining 50% of equity.

2004 ARJO acquires the Canadian company BHM Medical and ads, among other products, the Maxi Sky ceiling lifter to its range of patient handling products.

2005 ARJO Canada and BHM Medical secure the largest single order in the history of ARJO. The order is placed by the authorities in the Province of Quebec as a result of their focus on ergonomic working conditions. Total order value is CAD 40 million (EURO 28 million, SEK 260 million).

2006 Huntleigh acquires the Sonicaid® and Medilog® product lines, and releases the Enterprise™ hospital bed.

2007 ARJO brings together the two leading groups ARJO and Huntleigh Technology PLC to create one globally leading company with a comprehensive product portfolio and service offering under the ArjoHuntleigh brand.

2012 The Getinge group acquired Chinese bed manufacturer Acare and added to the portfolio of ArjoHuntleigh thereby strengthening our offering primarily towards emerging markets

The Getinge Group acquired the TSS (Therapeutic Support Systems) division from KCI and thus created a true world leader in supplying products designed for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.