Peerless Industries, Inc. Announces Formal Expansion Into Healthcare Market at HIMSS 2012

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HIMSS Booth Number 7015 – Peerless^®, the leader in innovative audio and visual solutions, today announced its formal expansion into the healthcare market with the launch of the PeerCare™ brand of highly adaptable fixed and mobile IT product mounting solutions for both traditional and emerging computing platforms within healthcare IT.

“We are proud of our work in development of the power system for the PeerCare EMR Hybrid Cart and look forward to collaborating with Peerless in the future as there is a natural synergy between our solutions.”

Peerless’ initial line of Trade Agreements Act (TAA)-compliant products include the PeerCare™ Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Hybrid Cart optimized for iPad and Android tablet platforms; adaptive, fully articulating and high-traffic-area wall systems, including a low profile unit deployable in space constrained areas like hallways; and, the PeerCare™ Enclosure Pod, a lockable unibody constructed design that secures and protects IT equipment accommodating both PeerCare™ and competing wall systems to prevent unauthorized access, such as in children’s hospitals and public access areas. The PeerCare™ Enclosure Pod delivers an industry first ability to convert a standard healthcare wall system into an enclosure.

Peerless also unveiled PeerCare™ Antimicrobial Mounting Solutions, the industry’s first antimicrobial fixed and articulating wall and ceiling mount solutions to use Agion®-branded coatings, long-known for its infection control properties. Available in white and black, these solutions are designed for use in patient and exam rooms, operating rooms, waiting areas, nursing stations and administrative offices to aid healthcare facilities in their overall infection control protocol.

Like other Peerless standard products, the U.S.-made antimicrobial mounting solutions are sellable on the General Services Administration (GSA) schedule to Veterans Administration hospitals and Department of Defense healthcare institutions.

Peerless will showcase these products Feb. 20-24 at the HIMSS 2012 Conference and Exhibition at Las Vegas’ Venetian Sands Expo Center. The antimicrobial mounting products are available immediately, with the remaining products available for general sale during late Q1 to early Q2 2012.

“The PeerCare™ EMR Hybrid Cart is optimized for iPad^®, Android^® and other tablet platforms within hospitals that use such devices for charting, and is available in both powered and non-powered configurations,” noted Will Townsend, Peerless Managing Director of Healthcare. “In addition to being the industry’s lightest weight user-configurable powered cart, when used with its modular battery system accessory and available external charging station, it delivers more than 24 hours of multi-shift use on a single charge.

“Smaller than laptop batteries, the cart’s lightweight battery fits into a nurse’s or other healthcare worker’s palm, as compared with standard powered carts that use heavier lead acid batteries, which, in addition to being hard to maneuver, are prone to dangerous overcharging,” Townsend said. “The PeerCare™ EMR Hybrid Cart’s light weight and modularity is particularly useful to meet the needs of the U.S.’ aging nurse and caregiver population. The cart, as well as other PeerCare™ products we’ll showcase at HIMSS, reflect Peerless’ hallmark commitment to designing innovative, easy to use, easy to manage, next generation healthcare products.”

Peerless co-developed the modular battery system with industry leader Belkin. "Working with Peerless to develop a modular battery power system specifically for the healthcare industry was a strategic opportunity for Belkin as we look to serve the industry more robustly," said Luis Artiz, Belkin’s Director of Product Management. "We are proud of our work in development of the power system for the PeerCare EMR Hybrid Cart and look forward to collaborating with Peerless in the future as there is a natural synergy between our solutions."

Following its participation at HIMSS 2012, Peerless will continue to expand its PeerCare™ portfolio of fixed and mobile healthcare products over the coming months, all adaptable to new and emerging computing platforms within healthcare IT. While formally announcing its expansion into healthcare, Peerless first entered the market in 1964 with the development for Zenith Electronics of the first CRT television mount for patient rooms.

“We are excited to expand our footprint in this high-growth vertical with an innovative, yet affordable, set of products that deliver exceptional ergonomics, best-in-class design, ease of use, and most significantly represents one of the only entire portfolios in the industry that is TAA compliant for sale to the VA and DoD hospital systems,” Townsend said.

For more information about Peerless’ PeerCare™ healthcare products, visit www.peercaresolutions.com.

About Peerless Industries, Inc.:

Peerless Industries, Inc., is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of Made-in-the-USA audio-visual solutions. Our innovative product line includes flat panel mounts, projector mounts, antimicrobial mounts, wireless technology, motorized mount solutions, audio cables, video cables, interactive kiosks, AV furniture, AV racks, AV shelves, AV carts, AV stands, motorized/non-motorized medical carts, medical enclosures, precision gear products, surge protection, screen cleaning products and a full assortment of accessories. A 70-year-old global company, Peerless® has remained at the forefront of the industry, creating new AV technologies that push the envelope and provide ideal solutions to meet the needs of the consumer and pro markets, alike. Peerless manufactures over 3,600 products that serve original equipment manufacturers, commercial integrators and consumer retailers in 28 vertical markets worldwide through direct sales representatives and authorized distribution. For more information, visit www.peerless-av.com.