Cross-border collaboration benefits customers and drives organic growth

Identifying opportunities for co-operation within the Group and achieving economies of scale together is an important part of how Asker drives organic growth. The Dutch company Vegro is one of the companies that, during its first years with Asker, not only found knowledge exchange and community in the sister companies, but also used the Group to expand its product range and improve its organic growth.

Vegro sells and rents mobility aids and personal assistive equipment to private individuals, nursing homes and home care providers all over the Netherlands. It has a large logistics network, including physical service centres known as 'zorgwinkels' to dis-tribute the equipment that many patients need in their daily lives. The family-owned company was acquired by Asker in 2024 and has increased both its turnover and margin since then.

One of the reasons for the company’s operational improvements is its co-operation with the sister companies in the mobility equipment sector.

“When we became part of Asker, the first thing we did was to try to learn from other companies in the Group. Then we started the initiatives that we believed could create the most value for us”, says Adri-Jo Dielissen, Head of Vegro's Direct-to-Patient business.

Better product ranges benefit both customers and sales

One successful example is Vegro’s collaboration with the Danish sister company Mobilex, which sells walkers under its own brand.

“We sell around 20,000 walkers a year but were missing the mid-price range in our customer offering. Mobilex had the products we were missing. Collaboration with them was a win-win for everyone. Customers had more products to choose from in different price ranges, we increased our sales and Mobilex entered a new market,” says Adri-Jo.

Similarly, Vegro's network of service centres has enabled its sister company Bbrain, which sells technological solutions to help people living with dementia live more independently, to reach out to its target audience and showcase its products in physical stores.

“We didn't have many products for patients with dementia, so Bbrain’s products were a good addition to our range. And for Bbrain, our service centres give customers the opportunity to touch and feel the product in the presence of knowledgeable staff. This is not only a new sales channel for Bbrain but also a way to get direct feedback on its products from our salespeople and customers,” says Adri-Jo.

Stronger combined offering

It is not only the service centres that create opportunities for co-operation and upselling. Vegro also collaborates with several other sister companies for nursing homes and home care.

“Our first major collaboration was with Medireva Revalidatie, which also supplies and rents assistive aids. We complement each other incredibly well, not only in terms of our geographical presence but also in terms of the solutions we are best at delivering. Nowadays we participate in tenders together because our joint offering is so strong”, says Danny Schipper, head of Vegro's corporate customer business.

When QRS, one of the Group's providers of medical equipment and supplies, had an important customer who suddenly wanted to buy wheelchairs, shower chairs and mattresses – products they did not have in their range – they asked Vegro for help.

“We had the products their customer wanted and together we were able to fulfil the customer’s wishes at short notice. Today, we work together regularly, including on logistics and purchasing,” says Danny.

Opportunities that transcend national borders

“There are so many great opportunities for collaboration within the Group and what we've done so far is just the beginning,” says Danny. “The opportunities extend beyond our business area, and what I really appreciate is Asker's shared focus on improving patient outcomes. I learn new things from our sister companies every week and we are always working towards improving healthcare,” concludes Adri-Jo.

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