Roscoe targets TENS

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio - Roscoe Medical considers transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS an “undercover” product offering in the HME industry, but with a recent acquisition, it hopes to change that.

The manufacturer significantly boosted its presence in the market in April, when it announced it had bought Austin, Texas-based Current Solutions, a manufacturer of well-known TENS devices like the InTENSity and Twin Stim.

“We do sell TENS devices, but we're quick to admit that it's a narrow product offering,” said Paul Guth, president and CEO of Roscoe Medical. “We saw this as a way to jump in with both feet real quick and position ourselves as experts in the field.”

Roscoe Medical will operate Current Solutions as a division of Roscoe Medical. It will leverage the company's distribution facility in Austin (Roscoe Medical already has facilities in California and Ohio) and keep “key members” of its management team, like Glynn Bloomquist, CEO, Guth says.

In addition to TENS devices, Current Solutions also manufactures other pain management products, everything from ultrasound devices to orthopedic braces to hot/cold packs, Guth says.

“This allows us to offer a complete solution in the market,” he said.

Current Solutions has distributed its products mostly through chiropractors. In a big splash at Medtrade Spring in Las Vegas in April, Roscoe Medical will introduce the company's products to HME providers, Guth says.

“They focus on that one area, but they had plans to grow into the space we're in, so we're helping them achieve that,” he said.

Roscoe Medical expects a positive reception from HME providers, who now, more than ever, are searching for new products with potential for cash-friendly add-ons, Guth says.

“We know there's a market for these products in the HME industry,” he said.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.