Page 14 - Mobility Management, November 2017

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Dynamic Systems Celebrates 50th Anniversary
When working with a single client on customized posi- tioning, it can be tough to imagine entirely different applications for the technology, especially when those applications are on a global scale.
But that versatility has led to success for Dynamic Systems Inc., headquartered in Leicester, N.C. The company, known for its SunMate viscoelastic polyure- thane foam, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Susan Yost, Dynamic Systems’ marketing director and co-owner along with her brother, Robin, noted, “While primarily used in complex rehab technology and wheelchair seating and mobility products to promote user health and well-being, these foams have high energy absorption/dissipation and soft pressure properties that make them ideal for any application where impact protection, vibration reduction, long- term seating comfort and support are necessary for optimum performance.”
Over the years, other applications have included padding U.S. Olympic bobsled and skeleton sleds, seating for OH-D58 Kiowah military helicopters, headrest impact material in Formula 1 racecars, and floor-testing surface material used in studies that researched inner ear diseases.
Charles A. Yost developed his original version of the foam while working on a NASA project for crash-resistant airline seating. Having created the foam, Yost founded Dynamic Seating Inc. to investigate other applications.
“Improvements in temperature sensitivity, durability and fire safety were incorporated into the next-generation foams that DSI continues to manufacture today,” Susan Yost said. She added that her father and his company
“were inducted into the
NASA-U.S. Space Foundation’s Space Technology Hall of Fame for the development of seating technology in 1998.” In 2015, Charles Yost, who passed away in 2005, was posthumously inducted into the Polyurethane Foam Association’s Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall of Fame.
Yost’s business continues to operate in Leicester as a small, family-run company. While its users might be more familiar with the company’s brand names — including SunMate, Pudgee and Liquid SunMate Foam-in-Place Seating — than with the Dynamic Systems Inc. name, countless consumers in many different industries have benefited from foam technology that is still evolving.
“Being a small company allows us to carefully monitor the quality and consistency of our products, and work closely with our customers to ensure satisfaction,” Susan Yost said. “It also gives us more flexibility to adjust to changing markets as needed.” m
Academy Medical Equipment Acquired by Numotion
Academy Medical Equipment, a complex rehab technology provider with seven locations in the western United States, has been acquired by Numotion.
In a Sept. 5 announcement, Numotion said 59 Academy Medical Equipment employees would join its roster. Those employees are ATPs, or work in customer care, service and repair, payor relations, medical documentation or order processing.
Academy Medical Equipment has six offices in California and one — its corporate headquarters — in Nevada. The company was founded in 1999.
Numotion CEO Mike Swinford said of the acquisition, “Numotion is committed to improving the lives of people
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with disabilities by enabling them to actively participate in everyday life. This investment allows us to partner
with more therapists and physicians in California and Nevada to provide people living with a disability in these growing states with greater access to innovative mobility resources, products, services and solutions.”
Swinford noted Academy Medical Equipment’s “great reputation for providing quality equipment, expert and timely service and repair, dependable follow-through, along with a real passion for their customers. We are very excited to add this experienced and passionate group of professionals to the Numotion family to better serve even more people with disabilities.” m
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