MKR turns bad experience into good business

NORTHFIELD, Minn. - When Matthew Olivero's son had cancer in 2008, drop-shipped home medical equipment was just another burden for the worried parent.

“A semi would come deliver it on our sidewalk and drive away,” said Olivero.

The lack of help with equipment set-up and education was an experience that stuck with him. Once his son was declared cancer-free, Olivero decided to go into the HME business to make sure that his experiences didn't happen to anyone else.

Olivero spent a few years learning the business and in June opened MKR Medical with two partners, Keith Anderson and Northfield Pharmacy owner Rob Anderson.

MKR offers canes, walkers, hospital beds, bath safety and compression stockings, as well as custom therapeutic shoes and urology supplies. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance. Olivero hopes to add oxygen as the business grows.

One pool of customers MKR has already tapped into: Rob Anderson's pharmacy customers who also need HME.

“We needed this service in this area,” said Anderson. “It's so nice to be able to send people to someone who's not competition.”

Olivero and his family handle the day-to-day business. He says he puts customers first by offering the lowest prices possible, being on call 24/7, and keeping his service area to a manageable 30-mile radius.

“Everyone receives personal care and attention,” said Olivero. “More than once I've gone out when a customer has pulled out the power cord of their hospital bed and needs to get up at 1 a.m.or 2 a.m. (and can't). I go and plug it back in.”

The goal for MKR Medical is simple, he said.

“We're not looking at becoming a huge company,” he said. “I just want to be able to take care of people.”