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Bertil Allard: Orthotics Visionary
By Jodi Mills
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Bertil Allard (right) and his son Peter, the company owners. |
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Sweden has nearly 10 million inhabitants and touts
itself as a country of endless possibilities. Bertil Allard,
president and CEO of CAMP Scandinavia, headquartered in
Helsingborg, Sweden, similarly feels there are endless
possibilities for this international company.
The vision is keen--to be an innovative family-owned company
that is recognized worldwide by its orthotics products. With
healthy doses of creativity, ingenuity, and knowledge, CAMP
Scandinavia has become a worldwide leader in the O&P
industry.
Career Detour Leads to Orthotics
Bertil was born in Sweden in 1942 and grew up south of
Stockholm. Eventually the city drew him in, and he spent nearly 20
years living in Stockholm. His first job after graduation from the
Stockholm School of Economics was with a large retail organization.
Public relations, market research, and marketing were his areas of
expertise.
That path detoured in 1975 when he happened upon the O&P
industry. He will tell you this was "more by accident than
planning." LIC, at that time was by far the biggest company in
medical technology, manufacturing products such as wheelchairs,
hearing aids, and orthopedic implants. As divisional manager for
its O&P facilities, Bertil got his first taste of what the
O&P field had to offer. He was instrumental in establishing
LIC's business outside Sweden, signing big contracts in the Middle
East that included service, education, products, and
facilities.
1982 brought a change. CAMP in the United Kingdom, then owned by
Camp International, offered Bertil the position of assistant to the
managing director. The company's goal was to acquire CAMP
Scandinavia. This was accomplished in 1983. CAMP International,
which was acquired by Bissell in the late 1980s and then again in
1996, offered Bertil, through a management buyout, the opportunity
to delve into the international business of O&P. From
1994-1996, he retained the position of president of CAMP
International.
Camp Scandinavia: Family-Owned Again
During these years of his association with The CAMP Group,
Bertil realized his desire to have CAMP Scandinavia become a
Swedish family-owned business once again. In 1996, this dream
became reality when he acquired CAMP Scandinavia from Bissell.
Today Camp International in the US, now called Camp Healthcare, and
Camp UK are owned by the Irish company Trulife.
CAMP Scandinavia was established in 1954 in Sweden. The company
is very proud to be a Swedish family-owned business after two US
owners. The long-term goal is to remain as such. Bertil's son
Peter, vice president and COO, has had an active role within the
company for over eight years and is poised to take over direction
of the company fully within the next few years. Peter runs the
Scandinavian operation, while Bertil handles Export and Research
& Develo-pment, all the while trying not to step on each
other's toes! Good communication on a regular basis is imperative.
Their success is apparent. When asked, Bertil says, "Working with
Peter is great!"
It appears that there will be plenty to keep the family busy for
many years. Selling products under the CAMP name in Nordic
countries is a major part of the company's business. It also is a
distributor for companies such as Boston Brace, Becker, Endolite,
and Trulife, to name a few. Bertil will tell you that the CAMP
Group is an important partner as well. The CAMP Group's reach
extends to many parts of the world, including CAMP Healthcare in
the US; Prim, based in Spain; Basko in Holland; and Tielle in
Italy.
CAMP Scandinavia has established itself as an aggressive export
company selling its products in over 50 countries. In addition, it
manufactures and distributes X-lite casting and splinting
material.
Keys to Success
How is all this accomplished and with such a positive
attitude?
Creativity and entrepreneurship rank high on Bertil's priority
list. When asked why remaining a family company is so important, he
replied, "It gives us flexibility, freedom, and a lot of
challenges!" Bertil's and Peter's knowledge and understanding of
O&P from an international perspective provide the company with
a great advantage. Their ability to look three to five years into
the future--instead of just what the next quarter will
bring--enables them to excel in their niche. Bertil comments, "I
have been in larger organizations with a more diversified spectrum
of products. Even though the people were fine, I could never have
done what I have done [at CAMP Scandinavia] in that type of
structure."
Unique Products
CAMP Scandinavia has developed a series of unique, patented
products. ToeOFF® was the first. It enables patients with
dropfoot to walk easier, better, and farther, according to the
company. Prim and Camp Scandinavia jointly own S.W.A.S.H.", the
standing, walking, and sitting hip orthosis that assists those with
cerebral palsy and neuromuscular disorders. It has been made
available around the world, due to the vision, commitment, and
perseverance of Bertil. Other products include WISS+"; Ypsilon";
C.H.E.C.K."; Kid-Dee-Lite"; and OAK". The company notes proudly
that its commitment to providing the best products and outstanding
technical support results in a satisfied user gaining a better
quality of life.
50th Anniversary
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Peter greets guests at a welcome dinner for international visitors. This was a traditional Swedish "Mid-summer" dinner. |
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The recent 50th anniversary celebration of CAMP
Scandinavia was an outstanding success, Bertil says. In keeping
with The CAMP Group's desire to provide its expertise in orthopedic
technology through workshops and seminars, guests were treated to a
product review and an excellent seminar on the future of O&P.
This included two medical professors discussing how changes in
surgical techniques and in patient demographics due to an aging
population will impact O&P for both adult and child patients.
Two experts gave their views on materials for O&P in the future
and mechatronics, a developing field that involves the synergistic
use of precision engineering, control theory, computer science, and
sensor and actuator technology to design improved products and
processes.
A 50th anniversary celebration is worthy of a big night out. The
"South American Evening in Food and Music" provided a beautiful and
relaxed evening, with music arranged by Bertil's son Johan. A
130-page book covering the company's history, written by Bertil
Winberg, founder and first owner of Camp Scan-dinavia, and Bertil
Allard, was presented. Bertil Winberg, who is 90 years old and
still going strong, participated in the anniversary
celebration.
Family: A Vital Part of Life
The Merriam Webster Online dictionary defines "devotion" as "the
fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal (as to an idea
or person)." This definition portrays Bertil Allard quite well. He
married his wife Anne in1965, and they now enjoy the time they
spend with their grandchildren, Sebestian, 12 (Johan's son), and
Leo, 5 (Peter's son). Anne is a retired teacher and enjoys reading
good literature, as does Bertil. Her garden is another endeavor
that she finds delightful. Their older son Johan's life course has
taken him into the world of music. Peter, as mentioned previously,
is working alongside his father at CAMP Scandinavia.
In spite of the heavy responsibilities attached to running a
company such as CAMP Scandinavia, Bertil finds time to enjoy
recreation. Biking, running, inline skating, and tennis are all
activities that help him unwind. Music is something Bertil finds
pleasure in, classical being his favorite. Traveling with Anne, his
sons, and their families is another way he finds refreshment.
Viewing the Future of O&P
With the celebration of the 50th anniversary over, Bertil looks
forward to the future of O&P. He sees many challenges and
changes in a more international world. Diabetes and osteoporosis
are diseases that are unfortunately gaining momentum, and the field
of O&P will work to meet the need, he believes. Old areas will
lose importance and the new will come. His advice to all those in
the field is clear. "Have devotion for what you are doing to
improve people's lives." This will distinguish your company and
services from the ordinary, he points out. Bertil also urges, "Have
a clear idea of what separates you from the competition." Bertil
Allard and CAMP Scandinavia have a clear idea of where they are
headed as they forge a path in the international arena of
O&P. 
Table Of Contents - August 2004
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