BREATHING EASIER Careica Health establishing itself as a leader in respiratory care
BY PAT REDIGER
W hat began as an inquiry into new technology in Wales in 1988 has led to the formation of Western Canada’s leader in respiratory care. Little did Earl Gardiner realize that when he approached Rimer Alco to see if he could bring their oxygen container technology to Canada that he would ultimately create Careica Health, which is headquartered in Winnipeg and has staff and offices from British Columbia to Manitoba. “We focus on creating innovative respiratory care programs that support sufferers of sleep disordered breathing and respiratory disease,” says Careica Health president and CEO Cory McArthur. “With Careica Health’s relentless focus on long-life care and support, our clients experience a new standard of comfort, mobility and freedom.” Careica Health officially formed this year
after the merger of RANA Respiratory Care Group, Provincial Sleep Group, and Provincial Home Oxygen. The new company employs 230 staff in 25 locations throughout Western Canada. The company origin dates back to 1988 when Gardiner received approval to sell Rimer Alco’s oxygen systems in Canada. He quickly pioneered on-site oxygen systems in Canada, thereby reducing the cost of bulk oxygen. Over the years the company expanded with its own manufacturing facilities, the creation of a rural community respiratory program in Manitoba; sleep apnea clinics; a pulmonary function testing lab in Calgary; and a provider of ventilator- assistive device aids. After the company sold its manufacturing division in 2016, it concentrated its efforts on home oxygen and sleep studies programs, eventually winning the 2017 Canadian
Business Excellence Award for Private Businesses from Excellence Canada and PwC Canada. The synergies created by purchasing Provincial Sleep Group and Provincial Home Oxygen expanded the company into more markets and enhanced its existing products and services. “Part of the reason we did the acquisition was because the geography fit really nicely,” explains McArthur. “The Provincial Home Oxygen business was very strong in Saskatchewan, central northern Alberta and it had a presence on the west coast. RANA was very strong in Manitoba and had a small presence in Saskatchewan and was really strong in southern Alberta, so we fit together fairly well.” The rebranded company is now able to better fulfill its mission, which McArthur explained is to improve the quality of life for people with respiratory issues. Since
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WINTER 2019
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