Page 8 - Mobility Management, November 2018

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Sunrise Medical Welcomes
a New CEO/President
Thomas Babacan Starts with the CRT Manufacturer on Nov. 1
Sunrise Medical’s board of directors has announced that Thomas Babacan will become the company’s CEO and President starting Nov. 1.
In a news announcement, Sunrise said Babacan “has a solid background as an accomplished leader in global, innovation-driven businesses.”
Previously, Babacan was CEO at AHT Cooling Systems, described
as a global leading producer
for commercial refrigeration and freezing systems. In the past, Babacan has also held the CEO title at VAG-Group, a water solutions manufacturer; Leybold Vacuum; and Oerlikon Textile. Babacan also
Thomas Babacan
served as COO for OC Oerlikon, which the Sunrise announcement described as a stock-listed manufac- turing technology company.
In announcing Babacan’s appointment, Sunrise Medical Chairman Johan Ek said, “In Thomas Babacan, Sunrise Medical has found a President and CEO who in his
previous positions has demonstrated strong leadership and strategic skills. Thomas, with his global sales and operations experience, is well suited to lead Sunrise Medical on its ambi- tious growth journey.”
The complex rehab technology manufacturer has made headlines this year with the September launch of the Quickie Q700 M SEDEO ERGO mid-wheel-drive power wheelchair, and by launching the Xenon2 ultra- lightweight folding manual wheel- chair in April.
In August, Sunrise announced
it had acquired Magic Mobility,
an Australian power wheelchair manufacturer known for its off-road applications. m
NSM Announces Acquisitions in California and Texas
National Seating & Mobility (NSM) keeps growing. The complex rehab technology (CRT) providers’ latest acquisitions are in California and Texas.
In an Aug. 24 news announcement, NSM said it had acquired Tri County Mobility in Goleta, Calif.
NSM CEO Bill Mixon said of the purchase, “This acqui- sition strengthens our service capability in the central coast region of California. Tri County Mobility has been a respected provider of rehab and mobility services in the Santa Barbara community for more than 30 years. We are proud to welcome this company to the NSM team.”
Greg Nelson, owner of Tri County Mobility, is branch manager of the new office. Emily Cotton, ATP, plus three other Tri County employees, transitioned to NSM as well.
With the addition of its new Goleta branch, NSM now has 15 offices in California.
On Sept. 4, NSM announced it had acquired Seating
and Mobility Solutions in Waco, Texas. That addition brings the number of NSM locations in the state to 10.
Two Seating and Mobility Solutions industry veterans will make the move to NSM. Robert Morgan has a 25-year tenure with the industry, and Bill Holt, ATP, has worked in the industry for 21 years.
Morgan said, “NSM’s core values align with those of Seating and Mobility Solutions and our client base in Central Texas. Shared values, along with the funding partnerships and support the organization provides, allowing us to better serve our clients, were driving factors in our decision to join NSM.”
Mixon also lauded the Seating and Mobility team. “Seating and Mobility Solutions has been a respected Waco-area CRT provider,” he noted. “We look forward to working with their clients and bringing additional services and advanced solutions to the community.” m
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