Medical Remanufacturing Business Launches Spinoff Company

Medical Equipment Source LLC, a Mars, Pa.-based medical remanufacturing business, has launched a spinoff company that will focus exclusively on its international sales, according to its CEO.

The company, Vivo Worldwide, will function as a separate company from Medical Equipment Source, said CEO/President Wendy Mascio. 

Medical Equipment Source remanufactures used medical devices that otherwise would be thrown away. The company then resells them to labs looking for more affordable options and provides consulting services as necessary. Vivo now will assume operations of the international sales of those remanufactured devices.

Mascio said international interest in remanufactured products has grown since she began Medical Equipment Source 13 years ago, and it was a logical next step. According to Mascio, the company’s Pennsylvania location has been an asset as Medical Equipment Services and Vivo prepared to expand outside the country.

“The state of Pennsylvania is a strong supporter of exporting a lot of programs within the state,” Mascio said. “They encourage businesses here in Pennsylvania to go beyond our borders in order to see significant growth here in the state.”

Both Vivo Worldwide and Medical Equipment Services used Duquesne University’s Small Business Development Center to get started. Although Medical Equipment Source has now outgrown some of the Center’s services, Mascio said Vivo is still working with the university.

The partnership is paying off, Mascio said, as partners at the Development Center introduced Vivo to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, a company that has connected the new business with countries around the world.

Medical Equipment Services and the newly formed Vivo already have connections in 28 countries. And to Mascio’s surprise, developed countries have shown a great interest in Vivo’s products.

“We have shipped things to Israel, Saudi Arabia, the U.K., Australia and the Netherlands,” Mascio said.

The company now is looking to expand operations in developing countries and emerging markets, part of its growth plan for the coming year.