Invacare fills 'key roles' for North America

ELYRIA, Ohio - Invacare has provided an update on its “transformation and growth plan,” including an overhaul of its North America sales organization.

The company has appointed Joost Beltman vice president of sales and marketing for North America, and Keith Brantly director of CRT sales.

“These are exciting key roles for us to have filled with strong talent,” said Matthew Monaghan, chairman, president and CEO.

Beltman joined Invacare in 2008 as country manager for the Netherlands and has held roles of increasing responsibility since then, most recently managing director, Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) and Italy regions. Brantly re-joins Invacare from Amoena USA, where he was vice president of sales. From 2016-18, he served as national accounts director and regional sales director for Invacare.

Invacare has also announced a workforce reduction of about 75 associates in North America and Europe. Once the reduction is completed, it expects to generate about $6.4 million in annualized pre-tax savings, $3.3 million in Europe and the remainder in North America.

“While decisions that affect our workforce are never easy, it is important that we make long-term focused decisions and take actions that streamline our business to optimize our cost structure,” Monaghan said.

Additionally, Invacare has launched several new products, including a new line of active manual wheelchairs under the Kuschall brand, and a power add-on that allows electric drive for active manual wheelchair users called SMOOV one. Both products are available in Europe and the company seeks clearance for distribution in other regions.

“We have an incredibly full pipeline of new products on the horizon, which will help us achieve our long-term financial goals,” Monaghan said.