The medical bed market is competitive, and has become increasingly so since the introduction of cost-cutting measures in European countries, new comparative bidding processes, and future device taxes to be introduced in the United States as part of healthcare reform. Although these negative factors are somewhat mitigated by the aging populations in these countries and the expected associated increases in diseases and hospitalizations, the outcome will be small growth rates. As a result, the USD 5.3 billion market for medical beds will see small growth over the next five years in traditionally strong markets, but higher growth can be expected in other countries that are recently beginning to build up their healthcare systems.

This trend will change the way bed manufacturers look at their marketing efforts, and where they locate distributors and sales personnel. Sales outside the US and Europe are projected to grow from 13% to 18% of total worldwide medical bed sales between 2011 and 2016. Africa and the Middle East are among the regions that Kalorama Information sees companies targeting more in the future. India, in particular, holds 20% of the world average number of hospital beds per million population, and an estimated 455,000 additional beds will be required by 2012. China and Brazil have also recently introduced increased health care spending and facilities construction. Companies profiled in the report, such as Hill-Rom (Batesville, IN, USA), ArjoHuntleigh (Lund, Sweden), Stryker, and Invacare (Elyria, OH, USA) lead the market for medical beds, and are expanding into these markets as well as markets in Eastern Europe such as the Czech Republic, Russia, and Romania.

“Medical bed makers selling to Europe have already encountered lower sales due to cost restraints, and changes to the US healthcare system are likely to have the same effect,” said Bruce Carlson, publisher of Kalorama Information. “At the same time, we expect sales of medical beds in the rest of the world to more than double by 2016.”

Related Links:
Kalorama Information
ArjoHuntleigh
Invacare