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| 3080 2080 S 280 and S 380 |
Benefit:
"Made in Germany". For
decades, the proof of origin "Made in Germany" has been standing for exceptional
quality - also internationally. Quite automatically, this mark has also
the following overtones: Good and expensive. But what is cheap, and what
is really expensive? Comparing the offers of healthcare bed manufacturers,
the beds can be briefly divided into three categories: Healthcare beds
- not dissimilar to hospital beds - as we have known them for decades.
Then there are high-tech beds clearly offering 1.5 times the functionality
of standard beds. And finally, there is the group of those beds that,
while also having complete functionality, bet on visual effect, with transitions
being smooth, though. So it's not an easy task to decide on how to invest into healthcare beds. The quoted price alone should not be the deciding factor, but instead the whole equipment and the equipment of the nursing rooms - both factors of which in future will determine competitiveness among nursing homes, facilities and residences themselves much more than so far. Once equipment comfort is seen as an investment into the future, however, one cannot think within previous boundaries any longer - neither within the boundaries of a specified investment budget. In future, the tasks of decision-takers will be to not only evaluate purchase prices, but - having carried out a functional and safety check - to assess add-on and operating costs that a healthcare bed will more or less cause or save. Here at the latest, the quality factor comes into play again. And if quality is understood by the total number of features of a commodity, then the quality of a healthcare bed, simply speaking, is the result of internal and external values. But specially the internal values of a hospital bed make a production "Made in Germany" so useful. After all, a healthcare bed is mostly an electrically operated and a highly functional medical product that is subjected to norms and guidelines, of which the risk assessment (CE conformity) is left to manufacturers in addition. So it is not only important that development and design is carried out within the country, but it is also logical to place the production close to development in order to ensure permanent monitoring and quality control to provide the relevant feedback. Only this way it is possible to manage permanent further development of product and production at a high level over years and decades. A good example for this line of procedure is the Völker AG that has been focussing on the production of healthcare and hospital beds for decades, with the originally handicraft oriented tradition leaving its mark during continuous growth. Today, production takes place on this basis at the Witten plant by constantly achieving lean production and improving logistics, target engineering and supply management. All this can only be realized under the permanent control - also quality control - through the responsible management. However, much effort undertaken in the fields of development, production and quality has its price. That is why Völker healthcare beds are reputed to cost slightly more. But the market share is well over 50 percent in Germany. What is the reason for this? This is the way the Völker board sees it: Above-average demand at a higher price is a proof for larger benefits expected by purchasers in the long run when buying Völker healthcare beds. Due to much lower operating and add-on costs in comparison with other healthcare beds, the slightly higher cost price of Völker healthcare beds will be offset very fast. And because Völker healthcare beds are clearly more attractive by means of their comfort and own mobility options for occupants and easy handling for caregivers. So the value of a healthcare bed is much higher than its market price. The latter is ultimately a result of the steadily growing demand; not only in Germany, but - with an export share of more than 30% - also worldwide. Stronger demand requires higher production units, which, in turn, lower the unit costs. "That's why our products are so good and at the same time very reasonable, too," says Heinrich Völker III, the grandson of the founder, responsible for the company. So they are not expensive, but very reasonable instead? "Yes, because what finally counts is the price/performance ratio. Despite a mix of ambiance and functionality, quality and ease of maintenance, it is in fact possible to assess different products." And finally, it's a matter of simple arithmetic - assuming a bed's service life of ten years, a higher price of 100 euro results in a higher daily rate of only just 3 cents. This is certainly a striking argument. |
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