Automatic defibrillator supplier beats targets as profits soar

Defib Machines, a supplier of full service automatic defibrillators, has outlined its plans for further growth after seeing demand for its life saving services soar.

The company has posted pre-tax profits almost 800% up to £412,000 (2021: £52,000) for the year to 30 June 2022 as turnover more than doubled to £2.1m (£899,000).

It comes after a number of strategic changes by the company teamed with health and well-being gaining greater attention from employers with the return to work following COVID-19 restrictions and ‘work from home’ orders.

Heart health was thrust into the national headlines following the harrowing scenes at Euro 2020 when Danish international footballer Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch in the middle of a group stage match between Denmark and Finland. Eriksen, who has made a full recovery and is back playing topflight football for Manchester United, brought home the importance of early access to defibrillators to the general public and in everyday life.

The successful combination of these factors is reflected in the increased units placed under contract with customers, up almost 300% compared to the previous year, accounting for £1.8m of revenue (2021: £621,000).

Defib Machines supplies fully serviced and managed defibrillators throughout the UK to businesses and in public places for immediate use in the event of a cardiac arrest.

Established in 2015, it has scaled its business nationwide and more than doubled its staff to 20 since receiving an initial £140,000 from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund to support its growth.

Defib Machines is already the largest supplier of its type in the UK with a client base including Marshalls Motor Group and MKM Building Supplies, with both having defibrillators located at more than 100 sites.

The firm offers industry leading machine installation, onsite training and refresher training for businesses, alongside regular best in class servicing and maintenance to ensure its defibrillators are always in full working condition to help save lives.  They are also unique in providing a replacement device after use, within 24 working hours, removing the costs associated when carrying out the one function the device is designed to do.

Defib Machines, which is headquartered in Leeds, enables businesses, schools, local authorities and community groups to have access to a defibrillator and be assured it is always serviced and that all consumable parts are replaced regularly, all for £1 per day. In the last year alone the business has seen the number of units it has under contract increase by 30% to 3,500.

And as defibrillators become commonplace across the country the Leeds-based business, which also counts Park Holidays, Cullina Group and Bruntwood as nationwide customers, is eyeing further growth.

Jonathan Gilbert, co-founder and managing director of Defib Machines, said: “The last 12 months have been the most successful since we founded the business in 2015.  That’s really positive news, yet we are aware that there is still a long way to go to ensure that everyone has access to a defibrillator when they need it, but we’re pleased to be helping the UK population to be ‘heart safe’.

“Looking ahead, we’ve got some big ambitions to further scale and grow our business fuelled by our passion to change the financial obstacles that stand in the way of many people getting defibs.  We want to make sure budget is not a reason for any organisation, from large corporates to community organisations, not to have a working device.

“From entering the market we have changed the game in what is expected as standard.  The quality of our defibrillators alongside our service and maintenance package continues to set us apart and we plan to further consolidate this position as we accelerate our ambitious growth plan.”
Jonathan added: “As a team we are hugely passionate about educating every one of our customers on the benefits of installing a defibrillator and the importance of servicing and maintenance.

“In the UK there are more than 100 cardiac arrests each week in the workplace1. The chance of survival at present is 8%, significantly below other developed countries2. There clearly needs to be a change for the better, and that’s what we aim to do.  With a defib machine used in the first five minutes, survival increases climb from 5% to 75%.

“It’s these statistics, coupled with the knowledge that to date we’ve played our part in helping 50 people each year survive a cardiac arrest which is fuelling our plans for the future and our mission to ensure as many people as possible have access to and know how to use these life saving devices and that more importantly they will work needed.

“Our hope is that our defibrillators are rarely used. But when each one is, it gives anyone the power to save a life.”