Vermont Business Magazine Last winter, Bellows Falls-based medical device maker Vermed was acquired by Buffalo, NY, based Graphic Controls, Governor Peter Shumlin and Graphic Controls CEO and Vermont native Sam Heleba today announced that the company has been awarded a Vermont Economic Growth Incentive award of over $500,000 and will remain committed to growing in Vermont. It also received another $200,000 in local development financing.
In January 2015 Graphic Controls, headquartered in Buffalo, NY, announced its acquisition of Vermed, Inc of Bellows Falls, VT. This marks the fifth major medical acquisition Graphic Controls has completed in recent years. Vermed, Inc. (formerly Vermont Medical Company) has a strong foundation in the manufacturing of high-end electrodes and medical sensors for patient care used by emergency services, hospitals and clinics for nearly 40 years.
RELATED: Vermed of Bellows Falls sold to Buffalo manufacturer
The Graphic Controls Management Team is led by CEO Sam Heleba, born in neighboring Springfield, VT. Heleba commented that, “Together we are committed to growing our medical division while investing in our strong roots in the Bellows Falls community.”
Graphic Controls continues to recognize that manufacturing brings stability to local economies and now operates eight manufacturing sites worldwide across four business divisions. “The support of Vermont’s Governor Shumlin, Patricia Moulton from the Agency of Commerce & Community Development, and the Vermont Economic Progress Council (VEPC) was fundamental in ensuring continued job opportunity and growth for our manufacturing site in Bellows Falls,” added Heleba. “They acted at the speed of business.”
“We are thrilled Sam Heleba and his team are committed to growing here in Vermont,” said Gov. Shumlin. “We look forward to a long term partnership with the company to continue to make the best quality medical products in Bellows Falls."
Vermed was approved for Vermont Employment Growth Incentives (VEGI) totaling $506,750 as part of an incentive package that also included $200,000 from the Windham County Economic Development Program to help ensure continued growth of new jobs in Bellows Falls.
“This is exciting news for Bellows Falls and Vermont” commented Patricia Moulton, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. “Graphic Controls has a history of acquiring and growing quality companies. We are excited they will remain a part of the Vermont business community and add more great jobs for Vermonters,” added the Secretary.
Founded in 1908 Graphic Controls’ passion and quality is built on their Industrial Products division. They are the global market leader in precision data recording charts and markers for oil and gas, process manufacturing, and dairy industries.
Graphics’ decade old Transactional Media division is the world leading supplier of slot machine tickets, PVC cards, event ticketing and custom thermal rolls.
Their recent expansion into the medical device field has prompted continued growth at their Innovation Center in Sandpoint Idaho where they design and build custom products under Biomedical Innovations, a division of Graphic Controls. Products include custom multi-parameter sensors and wireless patient monitoring devices.
With the recent acquisition of Vermed, Inc., Graphic Controls has chosen to adopt the Vermed name as their global medical division identity. Now recognized as Vermed, a Graphic Controls company (vermed.com) their focus remains on global manufacturing and distribution of dependable, quality and easy to use consumable medical products.
“We will continue to explore new ways to invest in exceptional quality and service behind our brand,” said Heleba. Products include grounding pads, medical recording chart papers, ultrasound gels, cables and lead wires, fetal belts, and electrodes all helping enhance patient care in hospitals around the world.
Heleba said that, “It is our hope that Vermont and other regional hospitals will continue to evaluate and source Vermed products, ensuring our future success in the community.”
Source: State of Vermont 7.7.2015