Vicair

What Vicair does

Vicair B.V. is a privately held Dutch medical-device manufacturer founded in 1993 and headquartered in Wormer, the Netherlands, that designs and produces wheelchair seating and positioning cushions for end users with mobility impairments. The company's core technology is its proprietary SmartCell — a tetrahedron-shaped, air-filled cell enclosed in individually adjustable compartments — originally invented by Huibert Pollmann at the Amsterdam Rehabilitation Centre and commercially developed by CEO Max Rogmans. The current product portfolio consists of four O2-range cushions (Adjuster O2, Vector O2, Active O2, and AllRounder O2) that differ primarily in compartment count (4 to 9), thickness, and target user profile (asymmetry correction, maximum stability, active transfers, and out-of-wheelchair activity). The full O2 line is machine-washable at 60°C without removing SmartCells, and two products (Adjuster O2 and Vector O2) have been independently validated against the ISO 16840 standard by the University of Pittsburgh Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centre.

Vicair generates revenue through the one-time sale of its cushion products via a multi-channel distribution stack: a direct-to-consumer e-commerce webshop shipping globally from the Netherlands, a network of country-level international distributors, and region-specific authorized resellers in Germany (Rollistore) and the USA (SportAid). Public pricing is limited to the AllRounder O2 at €245.00; the core clinical line is priced through distributors, and a Dutch retail price list is available as a downloadable PDF. The company supports its commercial motion with a clinical education program — the Vicair Academy — offering accredited courses, clinical days, and seating seminars delivered by a clinical education team (Mark Smit, Carlos Kramer, Madison Cruz) to occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and assistive device dealers across the markets it serves.

The company has no disclosed external funding, no parent company, no M&A history, and operates in at least 8 countries (Netherlands, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Spain, Japan, Indonesia, and the United States) with a website available in 7 languages. It is founder/management-controlled, with 11–50 employees, and has held a category-defining position in air-cell wheelchair cushioning since winning the Grand Prix at the 1995 Salon des Inventions in Geneva.

Name

Vicair

Legal name

Vicair B.V.

Website

https://vicair.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vicair is a Dutch medical-device manufacturer that designs and sells wheelchair seating and positioning cushions built on proprietary SmartCell air-cell technology, serving pressure-injury-risk, asymmetric, and active wheelchair users in over 8 countries through direct e-commerce, distributors, and clinical education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Wheelchair Cushions

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)

akta.pro primary industry

Seating & Positioning Systems (Cushions, Backs, Pressure Relief) (HLAHAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pediatric Rehabilitation & Mobility DME (Adaptive Seating, Pediatric Mobility) (HLAHAMAI)

Keywords

• Wheelchair cushions
• Pressure redistribution products
• Medical seating solutions
• Positioning cushions
• Assistive technology devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Wormer

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Wheelchair cushion product sales: Vicair generates revenue primarily through the sale of its wheelchair cushion products. Products are sold directly via the company e-commerce webshop (shipped from the Netherlands globally), through international distributors, and through regional partners in specific markets (e.g., Germany via Rollistore, USA via SportAid). Products include the Adjuster O2, Vector O2, Active O2, and AllRounder O2 across multiple sizes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Vicair designs and manufactures medical wheelchair seating and positioning cushions using its proprietary SmartCell technology — hundreds of tetrahedron-shaped, air-filled cells contained in individually adjustable compartments. The product family includes the Adjuster O2, Vector O2, Active O2, and AllRounder O2 cushions, sold globally through distributors, regional partners and the company's e-commerce webshop. Cushions are optimized for pressure redistribution, skin protection, postural support, and machine-washable hygiene for individual wheelchair users.

Product overview

Vicair is a medical device company specializing in wheelchair cushions built on its proprietary SmartCells technology — tetrahedron-shaped air-filled cells packaged within compartmentalized fabric enclosures. The product portfolio consists of four distinct O2-range cushions: the Adjuster O2 (5 compartments, for body asymmetry), Vector O2 (9 compartments, for maximum stability), Active O2 (hybrid foam/SmartCell design for active users), and AllRounder O2 (portable activity cushion). All O2 products share key features including machine washability at 60°C without removing SmartCells, 100% breathability, and the core SmartCells technology for pressure redistribution and skin protection. The cushions differ primarily in compartment count, thickness options, and target user profiles (asymmetry correction, stability, active transfers, or outdoor activities).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Vicair O2: Product line of fully machine washable wheelchair cushions with SmartCells technology.
• Vicair Adjuster O2
• Vicair Vector O2
• Vicair Active O2
• Vicair AllRounder O2

Products and services

• Vicair Adjuster O2 Wheelchair cushion designed for users with body asymmetry, featuring five individually adjustable compartments that automatically adapt to minor pelvic obliquity and can be customized further for more aggressive asymmetry. Available in 6 cm and 10 cm thicknesses with a maximum user weight of 250 kg.
• Vicair Vector O2 Pre-contoured wheelchair cushion with nine individually adjustable compartments, marketed as the most stable cushion in the Vicair lineup. Optimized for users needing pressure redistribution at the ischial and coccyx area with strategic thigh support.
• Vicair Active O2 Hybrid wheelchair cushion that combines four adjustable SmartCell compartments at the rear with an anatomically contoured foam inlay at the front, designed for active wheelchair users who transfer frequently. Provides lateral and frontal stability with a storage pouch for personal items, supporting users up to 200 kg.
• Vicair AllRounder O2 Portable activity cushion designed for use outside the wheelchair, featuring adjustable straps to buckle onto the body. Filled with tetrahedron-shaped SmartCells for stable support and pressure distribution during sports, outdoor activities and everyday moments on hard surfaces.

Quantifiable outcome

• Vicair Adjuster O2 and Vector O2 scored highest in skin protection among tested cushions in the University of Pittsburgh RERC ISO 16840 test data
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Pittsburgh — Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centre (RERC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe RERC at the University of Pittsburgh independently tested 50 wheelchair cushions according to ISO 16840 standards, including the Vicair Adjuster O2 and Vector O2. The resulting performance data (immersion, impact damping, hysteresis, horizontal stiffness, stability, pressure mapping, envelopment) is published in an interactive web-based tool for healthcare professionals, manufacturers, wheelchair users, researchers, and policymakers.
• Mailchimp (Intuit)minorOthersMailchimp is used as the email service provider for Vicair's newsletter distribution. Data including IP addresses is transferred to and stored on Mailchimp servers in the United States. Mailchimp uses this data to track newsletter effectiveness and provide reports.
• Google (Analytics, Tag Manager, Ads)minorOthersVicair uses Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager to analyze website traffic, visitor behavior, and campaign effectiveness. Google Ads remarketing pixels are used to retarget website visitors with relevant advertisements. Data is transferred to and stored by Google in the United States.
• Facebook / Meta (Pixel, advertising)minorOthersVicair uses the Facebook Pixel to analyze website visitor behavior and retarget visitors matching specific interest profiles via Facebook sponsored posts. Data gathered by the pixel is anonymous and processed into bulk reports.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ottobock: Ottobock is a large global DME/orthotics manufacturer whose seating & positioning portfolio (e.g., Terra, Vicair O2-style offerings) competes across multiple cushion categories. Broader product and geographic footprint than Vicair, but overlapping on adjustable wheelchair cushions.
• Permobil: Permobil is a major powered wheelchair and seating manufacturer, owning the ROHO cushion brand. Direct competitor for Vicair via ROHO and through Permobil Seating & Positioning, which addresses clinical cushion needs alongside Vicair's core market.
• Invacare: Invacare is a broad medical device manufacturer with a wheelchair cushion portfolio (e.g., Matrx, Invacare cushions). Provides overlap with Vicair in DME distribution and clinical seating across both home and institutional channels.
• Medical Depot (ActiveCare medical / Drive Medical): Drive Medical/Medical Depot is a broad DME distributor/manufacturer with wheelchair cushion offerings. Competes with Vicair at the lower-mid end of the wheelchair cushion market through mass-market DME retail and online channels.

Direct peers

• ROHO: ROHO (now owned by Permobil) is the most direct peer — a long-established maker of air-cell based wheelchair cushions (DRY FLOATATION technology). It competes head-to-head with Vicair in skin protection, pressure redistribution, and adjustability for wheelchair users.
• Jay (Sunrise Medical): Jay Cushions by Sunrise Medical are a broad line of wheelchair cushions (foam, gel, air) targeting the same wheelchair user population. Comparably distributed through DME channels and prescribed alongside Vicair products; broader portfolio gives Sunrise more bundled-deal leverage.
• Comfort Company / The Comfort Company: Comfort Company manufactures wheelchair cushions and positioning products (including backrests), offering both foam and air-based options. Direct overlap with Vicair in adjustable clinical cushions for the DME channel.
• Stimulite: Stimulite (by Supracor/Honeycomb-style materials) makes honeycomb-structured wheelchair cushions for pressure relief and posture. It overlaps Vicair's clinical seating proposition with a distinct but comparable cell-based cushion technology aimed at the same DME/chair-user market.
• Ride Designs: Ride Designs manufactures custom and adjustable wheelchair seating and positioning products, competing directly with Vicair's Adjuster O2 and Vector O2 in the higher-end clinical seating segment focused on complex posture and skin protection needs.
• Ki Mobility: Ki Mobility offers manual wheelchairs and the Axiom line of wheelchair cushions (foam, gel, air). Competes directly with Vicair for clinical and active-user cushion prescriptions via a similar dealer/DME go-to-market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vicair_nl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/VICAIRNEDERLAND
• Facebooknl-nl.facebook.com/VicairNL
• LinkedInnl.linkedin.com/company/vicair-bv
• Instagraminstagram.com/vicair_nl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vicair