Care Essentials: what the doctor ordered
North Geelong (Wathaurong Country), Victoria
Care Essentials develops and manufactures innovative medical devices from Geelong that are used around the world.
About Care Essentials
Care Essentials is dedicated to making a positive impact on the world. Established in 1996, the company has been manufacturing Australian-made medical devices for more than 20 years. Its flagship product is the Cocoon Warming System, used during surgery to prevent and treat hypothermia and maintain normal body temperature.
In 2021, Care Essentials set up a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to manage high growth. It has introduced new products such as medical respirators, surgical masks, sterilisation wraps and pre-warming blankets.
Care Essentials exports to more than 70 countries. Key export markets include the US, Japan, the UK, Canada, Taiwan, Italy, Germany and other countries across Europe.
Visit Care Essentials website.
Care Essentials' story
Established in 1996, Care Essentials is a family-owned and-run business. It has been manufacturing Australian-made medical devices from Geelong for more than 20 years.
Its products are used in more than 70 countries. Key markets include the US, the UK, Taiwan, New Zealand, Japan, India and countries across Europe.
‘Care Essentials is dedicated to making a positive impact on the world,’ says Managing Director, Abhay Sinha. ‘Our brand is well known globally.’
Care Essentials is the 2023 Australian Exporter of the Year and winner of the Regional Exporter category in this year’s Australian Export Awards.
‘Our contribution to regional employment makes us really proud,’ says Sinha.
‘Export markets are generally bigger and more stable. This has allowed us to create more sustainable and permanent employment in our community.’
Advanced tech saves lives after surgery
Care Essentials’ flagship product is the COCOON, a patient-warming system used during surgery.
COCOON helps maintain normal body temperature to prevent hypothermia, accelerate recovery and aid in infection control.
Care Essentials is the market leader in patient-warming systems in Australia, with roughly 75% market share.
Diversification in the face of COVID
In response to COVID in 2020, Care Essentials began manufacturing an extensive range of N95/P2 respirators and surgical masks.
Its highly specialised product development team used innovative tech to maximise protection and comfort. The team also designed the masks to suit a diverse range of face shapes.
Since then, Care Essentials’ Care Fit masks have become one of the world’s most in-demand mask products.
Strong sales in Italy and France
Italian exports have enjoyed an impressive 230% growth over the past 2 years.
The trajectory is set to continue, with 30% year-on-year growth projected for the next financial year.
Italy’s expansion has also opened doors to the French market, where the company has recorded exceptionally strong sales within the first year. It is also paving the way for further growth across Europe and the UK.
US partnership drives strong growth
The US is proving to be another high-value, high-growth market, where Care Essentials is achieving a 24% year-on-year growth rate.
Currently contributing to nearly 20% of its total exports, Care Essentials projects this will increase to 30% by 2025 and reach an impressive 50% by 2027.
‘A partnership with Premiere Pro Inc, the largest group purchasing organisation in the country, has been instrumental to this success,’ says Sinha.
Sights set on India
India has also emerged as a significant market.
This is driven by collaborative efforts with local distributors, as well as comprehensive educational initiatives on infection control. These efforts have demonstrated remarkable success, with a tripling of exports over the past 2 years.
Keeping up with rapid growth
Care Essentials continues to innovate, designing new medical devices and product ranges.
It is currently expanding its patient-warming system product line so vets can use it to keep animals warm.
In 2021, the company established a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Geelong to cater to its rapid growth.
It also set up a large clean room to make a new sterilisation wrap with US FDA registration. Sold under the brand CareGuard, the new product is already competing with a major US brand.
In 2023, Care Essentials started manufacturing high-quality, TGA-approved skin preparation solutions in its clean room facility in Perth. This product is sold across Australia under the brand name PharmAust and has been showcased at MEDICA, the world’s largest medical device exhibition. The company is planning to export PharmAust worldwide.
Caring for the environment
Care Essentials’ CareGreen team heads up the company’s sustainability initiatives. The team is focused on:
- developing biodegradable packaging alternatives
- exploring the recyclability of warming-blankets through a real-world case study
- educating customers about the recyclability of consumable products
- implementing renewable energy and waste reduction practices at the Geelong factory
- implementing paperless workflows.
The CareGreen project also involves collaborating with major waste management suppliers in public and private hospitals across Australia.
The objective is to establish a closed-loop process from product manufacturing to recycling within hospitals and health agencies.
Australian Export Awards foster an Aussie export ecosystem
Sinha would encourage other exporters to participate in the Australian Export Awards.
‘The awards bring invaluable exposure to the business and open doors to expand and grow,’ says Sinha.
‘We need to project our nation as an exporting country. This will help create an ecosystem among our fellow businesses and manufacturers.’
Regional Exporter finalists
- Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage
- CBH Group
- Leatherwood Bespoke Rosin - Judges Commendation
- Mort & Co
- Tasmanian Quality Meats
- Viterra
