History

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 exclusive, anti-shearing Geo-Matt® 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.