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Led by its founder, Don Spann, Span-America began operations in 1975 as a manufacturer
of polyurethane foam patient positioners. During the next several years, the company
expanded its product lines to produce lapidus (flat foam) and convoluted foam
mattress overlays for the wound care market.
In the late 1970's, Span-America also began producing foam products for industrial applications
as a way of maximizing its design and manufacturing capacity. In 1985, Span-America
introduced its patented, anti-shearing Geo-MattŪ mattress overlay. Geo-Matt, which was designed in conjunction with clinical studies performed
by the Institute for Rehabilitation and Research at the Baylor College of Medicine,
went on to became the company's leading product and the best-selling therapeutic
overlay in the US. At the same time, the company began selling its mattress overlay
products to consumer retailers throughout the United States. The Geo-Matt is incorporated
into the Geo-Mattress family of foam replacement mattresses, and the PressureGuard products.
In 1992, Span-America entered the replacement mattress segment of the pressure
ulcer care industry through the acquisition of Healthflex, Inc. and its PressureGuard product line. The company is currently marketing the PressureGuard series of
replacement mattresses directly to hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home
health care dealers.
In 1996, Span-America expanded its line of seating products in acquiring Embracing
Concepts, Inc., makers of the Isch-Dish Pressure Relief Cushion, the Sacral Dish back cushion, and other seating products.
Span-America has a long-term commitment to build upon its current position as
a leading health care manufacturer specializing in wound management products used
in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers. Most of Span-America's medical
products are currently directed toward wound care applications, and future endeavors
in developing or acquiring new products will be directed at this market segment
as well. In addition, the company seeks to further develop and manufacture consumer
and industrial applications of its medical products.
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