Manufacturers raise prices—again
By HME News Staff
Updated Mon June 30, 2008
ELYRIA, Ohio--For the second time this year, product prices are going up at Invacare and Graham-Field, and there's a good chance that other manufacturers will follow, if they haven't already.
“This may be the first time I can remember in 20 years that there could be a third increase if the costs keep increasing as they are,” said Ken Spett, Graham-Field vice president of global marketing. “One of the biggest impacts is diesel fuel. You have to move product.”
Graham-Field on July 1 will raise prices 1% or 2% on some products, he said.
In a May 9 letter to its customers, Invacare wrote that because of global economic pressures “our freight fuel charge will increase from $14.95 to $24.95 on June 1, 2008”.
“This will be a year that you are not going to see any price decreases,” Spett said.
Drive Medical CEO Harvey Diamond told HME News earlier this year much the same thing.
“It's unfortunate that at the same time as competitive bidding that these elements are causing prices to increase,” he said. “We are keeping our fingers crossed that it will get better.”
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