Pressure care manufacturer Direct Healthcare Group has been awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for services to International Trade in recognition of the company’s service to the global healthcare sector and its significant growth in international exports.
The award represents the highest honour a business can achieve and is the second honour in the past five years for the company, who received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation in 2016.
The Caerphilly-based group employs over 600 people and is a global leader in the manufacture and provision of medical devices, products and solutions for patients with limited mobility.
It provides pressure care management, moving and handling equipment, specialist seating and bathroom safety solutions for patients in hospitals, acute care environments, residential care homes and private homes.
Holding a 15 per cent market share in Europe for its sector across pressure ulcer prevention and patient handling, it has a direct presence in six European countries, and distributes products to a further 35 across Europe, Asia, North America and Australasia.
The company’s total overseas sales have grown by 730 per cent in the past six years.
“The past 12 months has seen us enter an array of different markets and we are now a truly international group with pan-European operations. Over the next 12 months, we will continue to focus on this geographical expansion to provide better healthcare outcomes for those in need, wherever they live.
“This recognition is another reminder of the valuable work we do in our sector and I’m particularly proud of our team who have worked tirelessly over the year.”
In February, Direct Healthcare Group announced a forecasted turnover of £89.4 million (49.5 per cent growth) for 2021, following a full year turnover of £59.8 million for 2020.
The firm had a landmark year in 2020 after it almost trebled sales, making four acquisitions. Of last year’s four acquisitions three were overseas: Swedish rehabilitation aids provider Gate Rehab Development, the patient-handling division of Swedish group Handicare, and Finnish manufacturer Carital Group.
Its fourth acquisition, of Sunderland-based Lynch Healthcare Group, helped to boost its patient handling portfolio in the UK.
The company will be presented with the award later in the year by a representative of Her Majesty The Queen’s during an official presentation ceremony at Direct Healthcare’s Caerphilly headquarters.