Sports Medicine Firms Merge

Breg, Inc. of Carlsbad, California and United Orthopedic Group, Inc. (UOG) of Plano, Texas, have merged. The merger creates what the two firms define as a “leading U.S. provider of sports medicine, rehabilitative orthopedic products and services.” The president of Breg, Brad Lee, will be president of the newly combined company.

Breg provides sports medicine products and services, pioneering in cold therapy and innovative bracing. United Orthopedic Group’s manufacturing subsidiaries produce non-invasive orthotic rehabilitation products worldwide. The merged firm will offer what its leaders describe as one of the industry’s most comprehensive suites of products and services to support orthopedic providers who work at preventing and rehabilitating orthopedic injuries.

The new company’s combined product portfolio will feature four major product brands of orthopedic braces, cold therapy devices and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis products called Breg, Bledsoe Brace Systems, Hope Orthopedics and Cothera. Customers will have access to an expanded menu of services to support the operations of their orthopedic practices with the addition of Viscent LLC, a UOG company specializing in billing.

“This merger brings together two leaders who are highly regarded for their patient-centric product design and commitment to serving customers from every angle, ” said Lee. “As one company, Breg and UOG offer a unique portfolio of innovative, world-class quality products and services that meet most every need of orthopedic providers and their patients. Together we have the opportunity to shape new frontiers in orthopedic care.”

In the October 15 press release, the leaders of the two companies note that their “merger comes as demand for rehabilitative products is growing, driven by the aging U.S. population, increasing prevalence of chronic physical ailments and the health care industry’s focus on containing costs through non-surgical treatments. With nearly 60 years of combined experience in developing and manufacturing bracing and cold therapy products, the leaders of the two companies plan to leverage their research and development capabilities to develop new devices in collaboration with orthopedic providers.”

“I am very pleased to have completed this merger with Breg, ” said Gary Henley, chief executive officer, UOG. “The combination of our design expertise and operational capabilities puts the company in a much stronger position to support customers with achieving their goals for improving patient outcomes and enhancing the overall patient experience.”

Henley will be part of the executive steering committee that will lead the integration of Breg and UOG. Together, the merged company will employ approximately 1, 000 people and operate in 47 countries. UOG will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Breg and the combined company will be headquartered in Carlsbad, California.