Feb 05

Experience, Integrity & Flexibility
Behind MIS’ Picture Perfect Image
Q & A by Julie E. Williamson

For more information about
Medical Imaging Solutions
or the products and services
they offer, please call
866-592-9191 or visit
www.medicalimaginggroup.com.

The vision began in 1994, the foundation was put into place in 1996 which led to the incorporation in 1998 of the Woodstock, GA-based Medical Imaging Solutions which has experienced ongoing growth and success as a leading supplier of products and services for the refurbished MRI and CT equipment segment. MIS provides cost-effective, quality solutions for imaging needs across both U.S. and international markets, and prides itself of having the tools and extensive sales and engineering expertise to meet and exceed customer expectations.

According to Arnold Bates, president of MIS, that expertise and professionalism is the foundation upon which the company was built, and remains a key differentiating factor in the refurbished MRI and CT equipment market.

Here Bates offers insight into the value of partnering with a qualified, committed refurbishing company, how MIS has benefited by maintaining solid industry relationships and what’s in store for the company in 2005 and beyond.

Q: What led to the development of Medical Imaging Solutions?
     A: As an electrical engineer, I began my career with Siemens. During that time, I saw a need in the [refurbished] MRI and CT market that I believed I could fulfill. Medical Imaging Solutions was born out of that vision.

Q: Specifically, what products and solutions does MIS offer?
     A: We buy, sell, refurbish, install and maintain previously owned medical equipment, and we have all the technical talent and tools in place to do it efficiently and effectively. We also have a large suite of mobile MRIs and CTs for interim leases. We have mobiles in each price range – from lower-end units to the newer, latest and greatest mobiles such as our Harmony and Symphonys — to accommodate a range of requirements and budgetary constraints. We believe it’s important to offer that flexibility to meet the varying needs of our customers. We have large hospital groups that we do business with, as well as individual clinic owners. We have been able to cover the spectrum.

Q: What are some distinguishing
characteristics that you believe set MIS apart from the competition?
     A: I believe there is a hole in this industry because it is unregulated, and it has been my mission to help fill it. There are some people out there who are either unqualified or just dishonest – and that really takes advantage of the customer and casts a negative light on the industry as a whole. There are many brokers who don’t buy for stock and don’t have a service arm of the company to take care of the customer or the equipment after the sale. These people are essentially wedging themselves between the owners of the equipment and the buyers of the equipment, and then making their money and leaving. That isn’t how we operate. I wanted to bring more quality into the industry, and I believe that is what we’ve done.

Our engineers inspect every piece of equipment and then benchmark it. We go through the entire calibration of the equipment and do a complete inventory and see how the equipment is operating before we purchase it. It’s our engineers who remove it and then we bring it back to our facility and do a complete refurbishment. We don’t alter anything because we aren’t a manufacturer, but any consumable part that wears out over time is replaced. We do a great job of making the equipment look and perform like new. Our engineers work on this equipment every day, so they are very familiar with it. When we purchase any equipment, it is then in our inventory — that is a different approach from many others in the industry. Also, when we sell a piece of equipment, we sell it along with a service contract. We take responsibility for the equipment. The customer doesn’t finish paying us until we have the equipment back in service, in operation, and meeting customer specifications. Customers are welcome to call the original equipment manufacturer to make sure the equipment was properly refurbished. We then maintain that piece of equipment moving forward. That’s how we have built this company into the strong position that it is today.

Q: Is MIS in the parts business as well?
     A: We sell a lot of parts and are probably the number one seller of used Siemens parts in the industry. In addition, MIS has obtained the status of preferred vendor with GE and Philips after an extensive screening process and met with approval all of the requirements. We have over $6 million worth of inventory sitting on our floor right now.

Q: How do MIS’ facilities help facilitate evolving needs of your customers?
     A: Our facility is one of our strong selling points. Our main office and refurbishing facility consists of two buildings totaling 45,000 square feet and a mobile storage yard all located in Woodstock, GA. We also have a facility in San Antonio, TX, and another office in Mexico City. Medical Imaging Solutions staffs approximately 50 employees, the majority of whom are engineers. This facility was designed around what we do for a living. About 6,000 square feet is office space and the rest is for the refurbishing facility. Every dime that I’ve made since 1996 has gone back into growing and expanding this company because I understand that there is just so much more out there that we can do.

Q: Anything new customers can expect from MIS this year?
     A: We will be opening an office in Illinois, just outside of Chicago. We have taken on several contracts in the Chicago area, and by Q1 2005 that number will be increased. I’ve just hired Scott Bunting, a brilliant high-level manager who was previously in the clinical imaging side of the industry, he will serve as the new regional vice president for the five state area to be served by the new regional office. We are very excited about the growth and opportunity to serve customers in this new area.