Left: Mercado Medic provides chairs for children to enhance their active and functional sitting. Middle: The REAL 6100 is an electrically powered wheelchair for adults and children for indoor use. Right: The chairs are built modularly and can be adjusted to the customer’s special requirements

We keep you moving

The design of a chair often influences the consumer’s buying decision. However, there are customers who require more than standard design; they require functional and ergonomically correct seating solutions for people with physical disabilities. The undisputed market leader for functional working chairs and special chairs is Mercado Medic AB. This year, the Swedish company can celebrate its 40th anniversary – clear proof that Mercado Medic has been meeting the demands of its customers in the last decades.

“Naturally, an anniversary is always a good moment to look back and, moreover, an opportunity to look ahead,” points out CEO Leif Ohlsson, who is a technical designer with a great passion for his job. “We are truly a technically driven company, and throughout our years in the business, we have always been possessed by the question how best to develop our working chairs.” Mercado Medic develops, markets and services functional chairs that are much more than wheelchairs. “We fully concentrate on working chairs for disabled people,” adds Mr. Ohlsson. “This has always been our core business, and we have become a brand that is known for its high quality and state-of-the-art technology. You could compare us to major brands like BMW or Porsche. In our market, we strive for perfection. Only do what you can, but then do it perfectly. This is our vision, and we have managed to translate it into products that have conquered the market.”

The three ‘I’s

In Sweden alone, Mercado Medic has attained a market share of 96%, and even in other Scandinavian countries, the UK and the Netherlands, the company holds a strong position. “We aim to establish ourselves as a well-reputed player in each new market: Only then can we continue to expand in other markets,” points out Mr. Ohlsson. With products that are miles above average and a strong commitment to quality, it is easy for Mercado to convince customers. “The focus on the three ‘I’s, standing for insource strategy, integration and also independency, is vital to our cooperate self-image,” says Mr. Ohlsson. “We do as much as possible on our own to keep control over our know-how and to develop it further.”

Individual with special features

Mercado Medic has always developed and manufactured working chairs exclusively for disabled persons. “While most wheelchairs are simple chairs on wheels, we manufacture multifunctional and modularly built chairs with many special features,” stresses Mr. Ohlsson. “Some have incorporated a special electric actuator system so that the disabled persons can lift the chair and reach high shelves.They are available in different sizes of seat and back slants and boast an excellent turning radius.” There are even chairs for loads of 275 kg for overweight persons and also chairs for small children. “The chairs are regarded as medical supplies, and they live up to this category,” adds Mr. Ohlsson. No single chair is like the other due to Mercado Medic’s modular system. It can be adapted easily to different types of functional disabilities. All the company’s chairs are for indoor use only and have a life span of ten years. Mercado Medic is quality in every aspect.

www.mercado.se