ATG, USM set transition path

ROCKY HILL, Conn., and ST. LOUIS - A combined ATG Rehab and United Seating and Mobility will have a whopping 124 locations in 39 states, but there may be room for further growth, say company execs.

“It would be very aggressive, but I wouldn't rule it out,” said Cody Verrett, vice president of sales and marketing for ATG Rehab.

Following the merger, announced Jan. 3, ATG Rehab President Paul Bergantino will become president and CEO of the new company, with USM President Bob Gouy taking the position of executive chairman of the board.

So far, plans for the new company include: maintaining a separate presence for the first 100 days, creating a new company name, training USM's ATPs on ATG's operating systems and bolstering the company's repair efforts.

“2013 will definitely be a busy year,” said Bergantino and Gouy in a joint statement to HME News. “We'll start with a focus on our repair services, an essential area of the business that has unique challenges.”

Bergantino and Gouy say the merger allows the new company to better face upcoming challenges in the healthcare industry. A main focus will be industry advocacy efforts, including a separate benefit for complex rehab.

“We believe that one of the great benefits of our new organization will be the combination of resources to better collaborate with consumer groups, NCART and NRRTS, and to provide even more focus on initiatives at the federal and state levels,” they stated.

The combined company's overall mission will continue to be focusing on the patient, says Verrett.

“At the end of the day, that client that needs that equipment needs a quality ATP and a strong team behind them,” he said. “As long as we continue to focus on doing that and doing that well, we'll be successful for many, many years.”