Altus Launches Production of Ventilator Carts

Walker, Michigan, March 25, 2020 — Altus, a national leader in mobile technology workstations, has begun production of ventilator carts to help address the critical shortage of this vital medical equipment in the face of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The Walker, Michigan-based manufacturer is adding production team members and working extra shifts as it ramps up quickly to begin producing ventilator carts. The carts are designed to provide mobile worksurfaces to hold ventilators, which mechanically “breathe” for patients unable to do so on their own. The COVID-19 virus attacks the lungs, in severe cases making breathing difficult and requiring ventilators.

The first ventilator carts are already in production and are available for order immediately. Altus has begun taking orders for ventilator carts, as well as telemedicine carts, which allow doctors and health care professionals to use video conferencing to treat patients remotely – another increasing need as more states like Michigan order residents to shelter in place.

Altus has expanded its production capacity and is hiring additional new assemblers in order to meet demand. Team members are working 10-hour shifts – and longer – and have added Saturdays to keep up with demand. Members of the office team, along with company owners, have stepped in to help with production, working additional hours and weekends while adhering to social distancing, hand washing and other health protocols to stop the spread of the virus.

Recognized as an essential business, Altus has the go-ahead to continue manufacturing operations after Gov. Whitmer called for a Stay Home, Stay Safe order on March 23. Altus is urging its suppliers to remain open so they can help address the rising threat of COVID-19.

“Health care officials have repeatedly warned the American public that our hospital system does not have enough ventilators to meet the needs of patients struck with COVID-19,” said CEO Craig VanderHeide. “At Altus, we have taken this to heart and shifted our design and production capabilities to produce the mobile carts needed to ensure life-saving ventilators can be easily brought to the bedside of critically ill patients.

“Our entire team has stepped up, working long hours and weekends to ensure we can quickly get these much-needed products into hospitals. At the same time, we are practicing recommended protocols to ensure our team stays healthy and doesn’t spread the coronavirus. Altus is proud to do our part to help address this immediate need.”

The new ventilator cart is height adjustable, with a range of 28.5 inches to 46.5 inches and features an expansive work surface, with multiple accessory options to meet each customer’s needs including: telescoping equipment pole, utility baskets and a multi-purpose adjustable shelf. Equipped with heavy-duty casters for ease of movement, the cart was engineered to house a broad range of ventilators.

Like all Altus products, the new ventilator cart is built with an emphasis on design, quality and durability. All of its mobile and wall-mounted workstations are designed to meet the needs of a rugged workday while taking care of each caregiver’s ergonomic workflow demands. Altus offers customizable options and multiple configurations to meet the demanding needs of the health care industry.

Altus mobile carts come fully assembled with a standard five-year warranty, although many carts are still in the field after a decade or more. Michigan customers include Spectrum Health, Beaumont Health, Sparrow Health System, Bronson Healthcare, Trinity Health and many others.

“At Altus, our goal is to improve how clinicians and staff work,” VanderHeide said. “We’ve spent the last 25 years innovating to build the best workstation solutions on the market. From our headquarters in the furniture capital of the world, we serve clients across the United States and around the world.”

“More than 80% of the components we use are sourced from the Midwest. Now more than ever, with supply chains disruption, our emphasis on American suppliers is critical to our success.”

Altus was launched 25 years ago by VanderHeide and Eric Kahkonen, two veterans of the office furniture industry who were looking to meet the growing needs of the market for mobile sit-to-stand workstations. They quickly realized many of their requests were from the health care field to address the introduction of electronic medical records and so expanded into this market. Today, Altus, makes powered and non-powered workstations for technology and medication delivery in health care settings, along with wall-mounted workstations.

For more information about Altus products and services, visit Altus Inc.

Altus, Inc. builds durable, ergonomic and stylish technology workstation solutions to improve how clinicians, educators and staff work. For more than 18 years, Altus has studied how real people work to enhance their workflow. Altus technology workstations offer optimized mobility, adjustability, access to patient data and improved clinician well-being. Altus is based in Walker, Michigan and is one of the only U.S.-based technology workstation companies, with more than 80% of its product components manufactured in the United States. To learn more, visit Altus Inc.

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