Interview

Tomas Kolar

CEO of LINET

LINET’s Expansion and Vision in Saudi Arabia

LINET has long been recognized as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of hospital and nursing beds, redefining standards in patient comfort, safety, and healthcare innovation. During the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh, the company’s presence stands as a testament to its growing commitment to the Saudi market, a region witnessing rapid transformation under Vision 2030.

LINET’s Global and Regional Strategy

LINET has established itself as a leader in hospital bed technology and patient care solutions. How would you describe the company’s current global positioning, and what role does the Middle East play in your growth strategy?

LINET ranks among the top three global manufacturers of hospital beds and suppliers of in-bed patient care solutions. When it comes to innovation and design, we can call LINET a world leader. Every year, we launch new products that significantly advance the level of patient care, particularly in terms of safety, comfort, and support for therapy and recovery.

LINET is a global company, and alongside its home market of the EU and the dynamic US market, the Middle East is one of the key pillars that contribute steadily to the growth of the entire group.

Why did LINET choose Saudi Arabia as a focus market at this stage?

We have traditionally had strong ties with Saudi Arabia. LINET has been operating there for over 2 decades, and we have managed to build a solid product base there. Now, as part of Vision 2030, our ambition is to be a reliable associate for patient-centered healthcare development.

Partnership and Market Expansion

We’ve seen LINET signing several agreements with major Saudi hospitals recently. Could you tell us more about these partnerships and their significance for LINET’s long-term plans in the Kingdom?

We currently cooperate with and supply solutions to the largest public and private chains, and we want to further develop and expand this cooperation. Our clients include
Al Hayat Hospitals, Mouwassat Medical Services, Fakeeh Hospitals, and prestigious facilities established by the MOH and the Ministry of Defense.

How do these collaborations reflect the growing demand for high-quality medical equipment and patient care innovation in Saudi healthcare institutions?

Here, I would like to give the example of the newly established Jeddah Park Hospital. This hospital is designed as a ”Smart Health Tower” powered by a single IT Platform with advanced technologies and services all centered around patient care, rehabilitation and well-being. It also provides advanced clinical research and further education in the field of PM&R.

We supply complete in-bed care solutions with integrated detection of patient movement in bed and other parameters that hospital staff need to monitor.

Innovation and Product Development

LINET is known for combining engineering precision with patient-centered design. What are the latest innovations or product launches that you’re showcasing at the Global Health Exhibition this year?

We are currently expanding our range of stretchers, and we brought the new SPRINT 400 to the Global Health Exhibition in Saudi Arabia as the first country in the GCC region. The SPRINT series was originally designed for transport, but now serves in emergencies and provides support to multidisciplinary teams in critical situations. They are equipped with scales and electric and manual positioning for quick response. They have many practical accessories and extensions, such as those supporting rapid labour. These multipurpose beds are also used in one-day surgery, which accounts for up to 30% of all surgical procedures in the US, and this trend is spreading to other countries, including the Middle East and Saudi Arabia.

How does LINET ensure that its solutions meet the unique needs of hospitals in the Middle East, especially considering climate, patient demographics, and healthcare infrastructure?

In terms of trends and development, the most successful hospitals in the GCC region today are comparable to prestigious facilities in other parts of the world. The requirements for tenders are almost identical. We certainly see the aesthetic requirements for integration into sophisticated hospital design across the GCC region as an advantage. We offer products designed by leading European designers, offering customization using advanced manufacturing technologies, such as laser printing of bed parts with virtually any color and motif.

The Middle East region is diverse and has different approaches, including the economic stability of particular countries. Thanks to its wide and well-configured portfolio, LINET can offer products ranging from top-notch solutions for ICU/CCU, acute and long-term care, birthing, and even home care, as well as robust products with a long service life and resistance to demanding conditions. Speaking about the countries in need, we are a proud partner of the EU and the Czech Republic‘s aid projects in the Levant, Africa, and in other regions across the world.

Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030

Vision 2030 aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a regional hub for world-class healthcare. How does LINET’s mission and innovation strategy align with this national vision?

Our strategy is to be as close as possible to our customers – healthcare professionals and patients. That is why we have now officially opened LINET Saudi Arabia for direct representation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We believe that our permanent presence on the market will enable us to better respond to the current needs of the market and individual clients. Our goal is not only to offer advanced products, but also to provide quality services, including maintenance and training. This includes both high-quality staff training and advanced clinical education, enabling maximum clinical benefits from our products for better and safer patient recovery.

In what ways do you see LINET contributing to the Kingdom’s goals of improving hospital efficiency, digital transformation, and patient experience?

Today, medical beds are no longer just a piece of furniture, but a platform that fits into the overall design of the hospital environment, including sensors that evaluate important parameters during a patient’s stay in bed – the patient’s weight, movement in bed, and the prevalence of pressure injuries. All of this is alerted to the staff and reported in the patient’s records. The focus is also on the patient’s comfort and feel-good parameters, with ergonomic controls available for adjusting the bed, including support for mobilization and getting up. A USB port for charging phones or other electronic devices is also integrated. We also supply extensions for patient rooms focused on patient well-being. Compatible servers are available for serving meals or working with a computer in bed, as well as ergonomic chairs that allow for the comfortable and dignified presence of loved ones during hospitalization, especially for young patients.

Sustainability and Future Outlook

Sustainability is becoming a core value in healthcare infrastructure. How does LINET integrate sustainability and smart technology into its manufacturing and design philosophy?

LINET is a manufacturer based in the EU environment; we must comply with some of the strictest sustainability parameters for product development and manufacturing, but our philosophy goes further. We offer sustainable solutions where investment in quality products ensures a return on costs and provides longevity products with benefits through professional support, such as staff training and a professionally accredited service.

Looking ahead, how do you envision LINET’s role in the evolving Saudi and regional healthcare ecosystem over the next five years?

As already mentioned, we are cooperating on key Saudi projects to build new hospital complexes in line with the latest trends. Our goal is to expand into the next projects, while also engaging in in-depth cooperation on treatment programs and integrating hardware, such as hospital beds, into hospital digital care structures.

Finally, what message would you like to share with Saudi healthcare leaders and decision-makers who are shaping the future of healthcare delivery in the Kingdom?

We recognize the ambitious Vision 2030 and the transformative goals set forth for Saudi Arabia’s healthcare landscape, and we are committed to being a trustworthy partner in this journey. We are a brand that has been bringing innovation, patents, and quality to the medical bed segment for 35 years, while remaining, in a sense, an energetic start-up that responds to current market needs and can deliver both large, complex projects and respond to ad hoc requests and provide tailor-made solutions.

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