Rehab Management recently had the opportunity to interview Tim Ludgate, vice president of sales and marketing for Duralife Inc (www.duralife-usa.com), South Williamsport, Pa.

Rehab Management (RM): Please tell us a bit about your company.

Tim Ludgate: Duralife Inc is the world leader in PVC health care furnishings. For over 25 years, we have prided ourselves in the fact that our primary goal has been to satisfy and meet the ever-changing needs and requirements of our customers. We manufacture a complete line of bathing assist and transfer devices for the physically challenged, as well as a complete line of linen carts and laundry hampers.

RM: You offer a variety of furniture—such as bath and commode chairs—for use in hospitals, rehab centers, and homes. Specifically, what sets your products apart from conventional health care products?

Ludgate: Our products will not rust, dent, chip, corrode, or peel like steel or aluminum. They are lightweight, durable, warm to the touch, and easy to clean. A remarkable combination of qualities such as strength, impact resistance, the inability to rust, and the ability to be formed into attractive shapes, giving our products a contemporary/modern appeal. This sets us apart from the old conventional products.

RM: Why PVC?

Ludgate: We use a special high-quality furniture grade PVC formula. This allows us to manufacture our tubing into various thicknesses ranging from Schedule 40 to Schedule 120.

RM: Tell us about your bariatric line. What new products are available? Upcoming special offers?

Ludgate: The Duralife 300-BEX Bariatric Shower/Commode Chair and the Duralife 125-BEX Bedside Commode Chair are designed for the heavier weight client. They are designed to aid both client and caregiver with safe and easy bathroom and shower activities. Many features of the 300-BEX and 125-BEX help to fulfill the needs of rehabilitating patients, long-term care, or housebound clients. The reinforced schedule 80 PVC frame combines high strength with low maintenance, making these models the highest quality shower/commode chairs made for bariatric clients. The 300-BEX comes with six extra-heavy-duty locking casters, commode pail, solid full-width PVC seat, and retractable footrest. The 125-BEX has similar features, but does not include casters.

Mention code 050709 and receive 20% off our retail price when ordering these chairs until July 31, 2009.

RM: What type of customization is available with these products? Colors? Fabrics?

Ludgate: Duralife products can be easily customized to meet the needs of the patients, staff, and facilities better than any other product on the market today. We use a vinyl-coated polyester mesh fabric and have eight colors—royal blue, beige, teal, white, maroon, dove gray, yellow, and Wedgewood blue—to choose from.