Company History

The History of Altimate Medical

Altimate Medical, Inc. (AMI) was incorporated in July 1987, when we began manufacturing our first product, a manual wheelchair. In 1989, we expanded our product line and began manufacturing shower commode chairs called the “Home and Away,” “Sports Sled” sled hockey equipment, and standing assist devices called the “EasyStand.” In 1991, we decided to narrow our focus on helping people stand.  As a result the EasyStand line began to grow and the wheelchair and the shower commode lines were discontinued.

In June 2005, Invacare Corporation acquired Altimate Medical to join the Helixx Group, which includes several highly customized pieces of standing equipment and products for the rehab market. Altimate Medical will continue to operate independently under its existing management team, focused on growing its core business. Invacare Corporation (NYSE:IVC), headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, is the global leader in the manufacture and distribution of innovative home and long-term care medical products that promote recovery and active lifestyles.

Over the years, AMI has successfully created a niche market for the EasyStand by helping disabled people to experience the numerous physical and health benefits of standing.  We assist people with a wide range of diagnoses, such as spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and more.

Today, AMI has 50 independent representatives and 2500 dealers across the United States. Our products are sold in over 30 countries as well. At Altimate Medical Inc., we continually strive to improve our existing product line, and introduce new standing equipment and products. Our dedication to our products, combined with our innovative methods of marketing, help to keep us “standing” on top of the market.

The Advancement of the EasyStand Stander

Since its creation in 1989, our popular EasyStand line continues to be updated and expanded upon.  In April 1996, we replaced the EasyStand 2300 Able Stand, the 2400 Support Stand, and the 2500 Mobile Stand with the modular-designed EasyStand 5000 series.

AMI continues to expand into the pediatric and geriatric markets with new and innovative standing products. The EasyStand Magician line was added in October 1996, which works as a desk and a standing frame for children. It was also in October 1996 that AMI moved to a 25,000 square foot facility in Morton, MN, in order to facilitate the expanded product lines and the growth of the company.

In November 1998, the EasyStand 6000 Glider was introduced. This revolutionary standing product enables the user to obtain strengthening benefits and an improved range of motion while standing. Users are able to use the glide handles to move their legs, further enhancing the therapeutic benefits of standing.

The EasyStand 5000 Youth was added to the product line in May of 2000. This pediatric stander was designed to meet the specific needs of the pre-teenage and teenage population. This stander can be used as a desk and a standing frame, combining the greatest features of the EasyStand 5000 and the EasyStand Magician. In 2001, AMI also added on to their building, providing room for additional growth while tripling the office space.

The Magician-ei was added to AMI's pediatric product line in January of 2002. This standing system is similar to the full-sized Magician, but is designed for preschool children in early intervention from 28" to 40" tall.

In order to offer a full line of standing equipment and products for a variety of needs, AMI designed the EasyStand StrapStand in January 2002, and added it to our adult product line. In addition to filling the needs of more types of users, we also found that some users simply prefer to stand directly from their wheelchair using the EasyStand StrapStand.

The EasyStand 5000XL was later introduced as a result of customer feedback. This adult stander allows larger individuals up to 350 lbs. and 6'10" to safely stand. The stander was added to our Product Catalog in September of 2002.

More recently, the EasyStand Magician Comfy Seat was added to the product line-up, offering customers the choice of a planer seat or a wrap-around seat in a pediatric stander. The Magician Comfy Seat, modeled after the Magician-ei, was introduced in April of 2003.

In September 2005, Altimate Medical introduced the modular EasyStand Evolv standing frame. It’s the next generation in the EasyStand Series, providing numerous options and configurations including the active standing Glider, Shadow Tray, self-propelled mobility, or Pow’r Up Lift. Altimate Medical's Product Development Team has made significant improvements to the EasyStand based on feedback from customers around the world. The EasyStand Evolv's most noteworthy change is in the lifting design which mimics the body's natural pivot points, minimizing shear.

In 2006, the EasyStand 6000 Glider was discontinued and replaced with the next generation of active standing technology, the EasyStand Evolv Glider. The EasyStand Evolv was made available in a Youth size in 2006, and an XT (extra tall) size in late 2007.

In 2008, the Pow'r Up Lift option was added to the EasyStand Evolv, allowing people to stand with an electric lift.  In January 2009, the Bantam pediatric stander was introduced.  The Bantam is the only stander to combine sit-to-stand and supine standing in one piece of equipment.

Today, AMI continues to look at additional ways to enhance and add to our current EasyStand line, ensuring that it will continually meet and exceed the needs of customers.

	History of EasyStand Short three minute video documenting the events of the past twenty years that made EasyStand what it is today.