Ability Matters Group

What Ability Matters Group does

AM Healthcare Group (formerly Ability Matters Group) is a privately held UK-based healthcare products and services group founded in 1989, operating across the prosthetics, orthotics, and mobility sectors. The group is the largest provider of prosthetic services to the NHS in the United Kingdom through its Opcare subsidiary, and also delivers major NHS orthotics and posture/mobility contracts via clinical sites including hospital outpatient departments, specialised clinics, schools, child development centres, and community health centres. The group owns eleven wholly owned subsidiaries covering the full value chain: clinical service delivery (Opcare, Crispin Orthotics, Proactive), manufacturing and distribution (Ortho Europe, Kenward), adjacent mobility products (Greencare wheelchairs, Greentyre puncture-proof tyres, Peach), and continental European operations (LM Orthopedie).

The group's technology base centres on Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing (with three in-house printers and five years of operating experience), pre-preg carbon fibre orthosis manufacturing, proprietary silicone orthotics processes, and clinical measurement systems including X-Sens wireless gait analysis, Parologg plantar pressure, Dartfish video, and 3D laser scanning. Products span ankle-foot orthoses, knee-ankle-foot orthoses, functional foot orthotics, spinal supports, knee braces, cervical collars, and bespoke footwear, with a 12-month warranty on 3D printed orthoses and a 60% waste reduction claim versus traditional manufacturing. Clinical services include gait analysis, biomechanical assessment, custom device fitting, and sports-specific orthotic provision (cycling, running, rugby/football, winter sports).

Revenue is generated through three streams: NHS managed service contracts (the primary channel), private clinic services at pay-as-you-go pricing (£60 initial assessment, £90 follow-up), and product manufacturing/distribution via Ortho Europe. The group operates across the UK, Ireland, France, Benelux, and the Nordics with 700+ staff, and has pursued an active acquisition strategy including Crispin Orthotics (May 2022) and Kenward Orthopaedic (June 2023), followed by a 2023 corporate rebrand from Ability Matters Group to AM Healthcare Group.

Name

Ability Matters Group

Legal name

Ability Matters Group Limited

Website

https://abilitymatters.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

AM Healthcare Group is a privately held UK-based healthcare group, the largest NHS prosthetic service provider in the United Kingdom, operating eleven subsidiaries across prosthetics, orthotics, mobility products, and bespoke footwear across the UK, Ireland, France, Benelux, and the Nordics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Prosthetic and Orthotic Services and Devices

NAICS

Ambulatory Health Care Services (621), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Offices of All Other Health Practitioners (62139)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Orthotics & Bracing (Spinal/Lower/Upper Extremity Orthoses) (HLAHAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Connected Medical Devices & Wearables (Sensors, Patches, Implantables) (HLACAPAB)

Keywords

• Prosthetic clinical services
• Orthotic device manufacturing
• Mobility and seating solutions
• 3D printed orthoses
• Bespoke orthopaedic footwear

Headquarters

HQ city

Abingdon

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. NHS Clinical Services: The company delivers major contracts with the NHS, providing prosthetic and orthotic services through hospital outpatient departments, wards, specialized clinics, schools, child development centres, and community health centres. This is the primary revenue stream.
2. Private Clinical Services: Private orthotic clinics providing assessment and treatment for patients not covered by NHS or seeking faster service. Includes gait analysis, biomechanical assessment, and custom orthotic provision.
3. Product Manufacturing & Sales: Manufacturing and distribution of prosthetic, orthotic, and seating products through Ortho Europe brand. Products include foot orthotics, ankle foot orthoses, knee braces, spinal supports, and custom footwear.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AM Healthcare Group (formerly Ability Matters Group) provides prosthetic and orthotic clinical services and manufactures/distributes mobility devices (orthoses, wheelchairs, seating, bespoke footwear) through eleven wholly owned subsidiaries. The group delivers NHS-managed clinical services across UK hospitals, schools, and community centres while also serving private patients through clinics such as Crispin Orthotics, and supplies products wholesale via Ortho Europe.

Product overview

AM Healthcare Group (formerly Ability Matters Group) operates as a diversified healthcare products and services provider in prosthetics, orthotics, and mobility. The portfolio consists of multiple sub-brands serving different segments: Opcare provides NHS prosthetic and orthotic clinical services; Ortho Europe handles manufacturing and distribution; Crispin Orthotics specializes in innovative 3D printed solutions; Proactive runs private clinics; and Kenward produces bespoke footwear. The company offers a comprehensive range of orthotic products including ankle foot orthoses (AFOs), knee ankle foot orthoses (KAFOs), functional foot orthotics, spinal supports, knee braces, cervical collars, and wrist/hand orthotics. Manufacturing capabilities include 3D printing (Multi Jet Fusion), carbon fibre lay-up, silicone products, and traditional methods. Clinical services encompass gait analysis, plantar pressure assessment, and custom fitting. Products are available through NHS contracts (via frameworks including NHS Supply Chain, NHS SBS, and regional procurement hubs) and private pay services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Patients transferring from conventional caliper device to carbon fibre orthosis doubled their walking distance (Scandinavian study)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Strathclyde UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproved centre for provision of undergraduate training for orthotists, recognized by the university for clinical education.
• Salford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproved centre for provision of undergraduate training for orthotists, recognized by the university for clinical education.
• BAPO (British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists)minorOthersProfessional association for prosthetists and orthotists in the UK.
• BHTA (British Healthcare Trades Association)minorOthersProfessional association for healthcare trades in the UK.
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)coreOthersGoverning body for Orthotists. All Crispin Orthotics clinicians are state registered with the HCPC.
• Blackburn Rovers FCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSporting partner providing orthotic services to professional football club.
• Everton FCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSporting partner providing orthotic services to professional football club.
• Liverpool FCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSporting partner providing orthotic services to professional football club.
• Manchester City FCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSporting partner providing orthotic services to professional football club.
• Sale Sharks RUFCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSporting partner providing orthotic services to professional rugby union club.
• Denovo HealthcareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrivate partner for healthcare services.
• Griffiths & Hartley Physiotherapy & Sports InjuriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeeds-based physiotherapy clinics partner for multidisciplinary care.
• Up and RunningminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSporting partner for orthotic services related to running and athletics.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ottobock: Global market leader in prosthetics, orthotics and exoskeletons. Comparable as it manufactures and distributes a similar breadth of orthotic and prosthetic devices, plus operates clinical services and competes for the same end-patient mobility market.
• Össur: Iceland-based global leader in prosthetics and bracing. Highly comparable product portfolio (orthotic braces, prosthetic limbs), similar customer base across hospital and consumer channels, and direct overlap in the orthotic and prosthetic categories served by AM Healthcare Group.
• Blatchford: UK-based manufacturer and provider of prosthetics and orthotics, including carbon fibre devices. Direct domestic competitor with overlapping NHS relationships, similar manufacturing technology and product mix targeting the same mobility patient pool.
• Steeper Group: UK prosthetics and orthotics manufacturer and provider, including Steeper Clinics. Direct competitor in NHS prosthetic and orthotic service delivery with comparable manufacturing capabilities and patient-facing clinical services.
• Fillauer: US-based manufacturer of orthotic and prosthetic components with international distribution. Comparable as a component and device manufacturer targeting the same prosthetists and orthotists serving NHS-style patient populations.
• Endolite (Blatchford subsidiary): Blatchford-owned brand for prosthetic componentry including microprocessor knees and feet. Overlaps with Ortho Europe's product portfolio in prosthetics and competes for similar NHS and private prosthetic procurement.
• Trulife: Manufacturer and distributor of orthotic, prosthetic and breast care products. Comparable as a competing device manufacturer with overlapping product categories (orthotics and prosthetics) and international distribution footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Hanger Clinic: Largest US provider of orthotic and prosthetic patient care services with a nationwide clinical network. Comparable business model combining clinical service delivery with device provision, though US-focused rather than UK/EU like AM Healthcare Group.
• Bauerfeind: German manufacturer of orthopaedic braces, supports and compression therapy products. Comparable as a broader orthotics manufacturer with overlapping brace, support and insole product lines competing for both consumer and clinical channels.
• Thuasne: French family-owned medical device group producing orthoses, prosthetics and mobility aids. Comparable European competitor with overlapping orthotic manufacturing and distribution across similar European geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/abilmattersgrp
• Facebookfacebook.com/abilitymattersgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ability-matters
• Instagraminstagram.com/abilitymattersgroup

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A2 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Ability Matters Group