Issue StoriesInside Track
Rehab Management recently interviewed Steve Stormes of California-based Metron Medical Inc, a manufacturer of electrotherapy equipment and treatment tables. Q. Please provide a bit of background on Metron.
Metron's new office in Southern California has provided the company a direct contact for its expanding US market, enabling it to offer personal and efficient service for all equipment needs. With input from practitioners and university/research institutes in a number of countries alongside Metron's own mechanical, electrical, and biomedical engineers, product development is ongoing, to keep the product range at the cutting edge. A number of the products in the range are the result of independent evidence-based research. With a focus on and commitment to quality issues, Metron has achieved various quality standards, including ISO-9001, ISO-13485, and CE certification. Also, Metron is regularly audited to maintain FDA clearance and TGA accreditation for the range of products. Q. Describe your Metron Elite product line. A. The Metron Elite range is the latest in our treatment table range and is leading edge in design, features, and safety issues. The new surround activating bar makes operating these tables simple from any position around the table. The German-manufactured gas struts and actuators offer the best available technology, allowing for the simplest of movements for patient positioning. An added safety feature of transformer power supply means we no longer run 110 V all the way to the table, reducing risk for the clinic, as well as removing the need for earthing issues of the table or power supply. A number of different top designs are available, from the simple two-section table to the top-of-the-range seven-section model, which offers more standard features than any other table on the market. Q. What features make your tables stand apart from the competition? A. The surround elevating bar—which is standard on all Elite tables—is a feature that makes the Metron Elite series stand out. The transformer, which steps the power down, away from the table directly, is another feature. The seven-section table offers a unique seated massage setup for the head section, as well as drop-away shoulders, which allow easier access to the patient without having to lean too far across the table. This feature means we can offer a 28-inch-wide top for patient comfort without the therapist putting his or her own back at risk by excessive leaning to reach the patient. These are all features that we have developed after many years of feedback from our customers across the world. Q. Describe the terms of your warranty policy. A. We offer a 2-year warranty on the motors, and a 5-year warranty on the frames. Q. In such a competitive market, how does your company manage to offer top-quality tables at such excellent prices? A. Metron has established two manufacturing plants, one in Australia and one in Thailand. These two bases enable us to freight tables around the world at economical rates. We are also able to offer competitive prices simply due to economies of scale. We manufacture such a large number of tables that we are able to negotiate the "best-buy" prices for all our raw materials. These savings are immediately passed on to our customers. Q. Where do you see Metron going in the next year? A. The next year will probably be the biggest in the history of the company. Not only do we have at least four new table designs being completed, but over the next 6 months we will be releasing a complete new range of electrotherapy, offering multiple waveforms and combination units—including stimulators, ultrasound, and lasers. All these units will offer the latest in technology, including touch screen activation and upgraded circuit boards and components. The new office in the United States has grown steadily over the past 12 months, and will continue to grow with the advent of these new pieces of equipment. —Rogena Schuyler Silverman |
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