Out of Tragedy Comes Triumph
Surviving the Storm: New Orleans-Based General Biomedical Service Continues to Thrive

Like any company that’s been in business for 24 years, General Biomedical Service Inc. has encountered its fair share of road blocks (or “stepping stones” as GBS affectionately refers to them). Still, no one could have ever imagined what would transpire when hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans on August 29, 2005.

While Katrina proved to be GBS’ biggest obstacle yet, it wasn’t enough to sink the committed company. Despite evacuation mandates by the local government that scattered the company’s employees to different regions, GBS never stopped functioning and taking care of its customers. Separately, yet somehow collectively, the GBS team fulfilled its duties from afar, keeping in touch with customers via e-mail or phone, filling orders and meeting financial obligations. “We were in contact with customers, reassuring them that we were okay and that the orders would be completed and delivered as soon as we were allowed back in the city,” noted sales and marketing manager Ana Ortega. “We let our customers know that we would still be able to honor our commitments. And we did. In the midst of a natural disaster and not knowing what the future would hold, we put our customers first.”

GBS went above and beyond to meet the needs of the community, as well. Just one week after the storm, one of the company’s biomedical technicians managed to get back to the office. He loaded up several ventilators and traveled to local hospitals to see how he could help.

“This is just another example of what General Biomedical Service is all about,” Ortega continued. “We strive to be the best at what we do, and to offer assistance where it is needed.”

Thankfully, the future continues to look bright for GBS. Although Katrina destroyed many surrounding structures, GBS somehow managed to escape wind and water damage, leaving the facility virtually unscathed. While the month of September proved extremely challenging because no one was even allowed back into the area, the situation itself has made the GBS team realize they can weather just about any storm, both literal and proverbial.

“Coming back, life around us has been hard, but the office itself was very lucky. We not only survived Katrina, we’ve managed to thrive in spite of it.” Indeed. Despite the hurricane and the forced evacuation the entire month of September, GBS went on record with one of its most successful years to date.

“We’d like to thank all of our loyal customers who not only showed their concern and support following Katrina, but for also trusting in us to honor our commitments. They believed in us and we didn’t let them down. We appreciate the business and look forward to working with them for many years to come,” Ortega said. “To our potential customers, we invite you to give us a try and pay us a visit to see the kind of work we do. We believe you’ll be satisfied with our quality equipment, service and business ethic.”

About General Biomedical Service Inc.

Q: What products and services, specifically, does General Biomedical Service provide?
A: We specialize in respiratory therapy equipment and anesthesia, with our main specialty being ventilators. We also offer service, spare parts and training for the equipment we provide. We aren’t a company that tries to be everything to everyone. Instead, we focus on what we do best so we can provide the best service and quality equipment to our customers.

Q: What sets GBS apart in the industry?
A: Our service and quality of the equipment is what sets us apart. When you purchase a unit from GBS you can rest assure that you are receiving quality equipment. When we say a unit is refurbished, it is completely refurbished by factory- trained technicians. Many people have learned the hard way that you really do get what you pay for. Our prices may not be the least expensive but the quality of our equipment is second to none.

There are so many different definitions of refurbishment our there, but for us, that means a piece of equipment has to work as it did when it was new. It should be the same quality and be able to work as it was intended to. Refurbishment for us means taking the unit completely apart, testing everything and looking over every small part to make sure it measures up to the original specifications. The warranty is also important. We don’t do anything unless we can provide a warranty, provide the parts and provide the services necessary to meet our customers’ needs. Some companies may sell a good unit, but they won’t be able to provide a part or the service on it. To some companies, service ends with the sale, but with us, our service begins with the sale.

It’s also important to point out that every GBS customer is provided with the same quality equipment and service, regardless of whether they are in the U.S. or abroad. We will not sell any equipment overseas unless we can provide a warranty and after sales service. We believe that all customers should be treated equally and fairly. It’s because of that commitment that GBS has been able to maintain and even increase its share of the market in different countries, despite intense competition in the overseas market in the last couple of years.

Q: How does GBS stay abreast of evolving technology? Are there any new products or services that may be added in the near future?
A: First, training is a critical component of what we do. We receive training on every new piece of equipment related to our business, regardless of whether we represent it or not, so we can provide the service for our customers. As for new products, we are always considering ways to expand and take on new product lines related to the respiratory therapy segment. We have talked to different companies about the possibility of picking up some disposable lines, for example. But before we add anything new, we always want to practice due diligence and make sure it’s going to be the right decision for us and our customers. We never want to sacrifice our quality and reputation.