Confexion

What Confexion does

Confexion B.V. is a Dutch confection (sewing and cutting) atelier headquartered at Amerikaweg 9, Assen, Netherlands, that produces medical textile aids — specifically lifting slings (tilbanden) and transfer aids — exclusively for JOYinCARE. Founded as a social enterprise and operating since 2012, Confexion describes itself as built on three pillars: quality (ISO 13485:2016 certified quality management for medical devices), inclusivity (over 30% of a ~20-person workforce has a (temporary) developmental need, supported by PSO Trede 3 and 30+ certificates), and sustainability (mono-material circular product design, repair services, a solar-powered atelier with 120 panels, and recycling via the Green Gear Alliance). Production is handcraft-based, with each product tested and inspected, and bespoke modifications are available for unique care situations.

The company operates as a B2B manufacturer within the Avance Care Group, alongside JOYinCARE (lift and transfer specialist) and TR-Care (maintenance services). Its sole customer is JOYinCARE, which distributes the finished medical devices to Dutch healthcare institutions, nursing homes, hospitals, and home care providers, with products claimed to reach caregivers and patients "throughout the Netherlands and beyond." Pricing is quote-based, negotiated through institutional procurement, and configured as multi-year contracts; no public price list is available.

Confexion runs a community-led go-to-market anchored in its social enterprise identity. It partners with a network of social-employment and work-development organizations — WPDA/iWerk (from 2009), Van Boeijen/Multa, Mesdag Kliniek, Afeer, and Inclusief Groep — for outsourced cutting, assembly, and packaging, and supports work placements and sheltered employment. Marketing is light: the company relies on its own website, a newsletter, organic social (LinkedIn, Facebook), and the Avance Care Group ecosystem rather than outbound commercial selling. Distribution, HR, finance, and legal back-office functions are largely handled by the parent Avance Care Group, allowing Confexion to focus on production and its social mission.

Name

Confexion

Legal name

Confexion B.V.

Website

https://confexion.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Confexion B.V. is an Assen, Netherlands-based social-enterprise sewing atelier that exclusively produces ISO 13485-certified lifting slings and transfer aids for JOYinCARE within the Avance Care Group, serving Dutch healthcare institutions and caregivers with handcraft-made, circular-design medical textiles.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Textile Aids / Patient Lifting Equipment

NAICS

Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391), Apparel Manufacturing (315)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)

akta.pro primary industry

Reusable Medical Textile Processing (Surgical Packs/Gowns/Drapes) (HSAJAEAL)

Keywords

• Medical textile aids
• Patient lifting slings
• Transfer aids
• Social enterprise manufacturing
• Medical device manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Assen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Manufacturing of medical textile aids (tilbands and transfer aids): Confexion produces lifting slings (tilbands) and transfer aids as a dedicated manufacturing atelier for JOYinCARE, the specialist in lift and transfer solutions. All products are made in the Netherlands in Confexion's own atelier in Assen. Revenue is derived from the sale of manufactured medical textile products to the parent company and healthcare buyers. The company also earns from repair services that extend product life cycles.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Confexion operates a sewing/cutting atelier in Assen that hand-manufactures medical textile aids — primarily lifting slings (tilbanden) and transfer aids — sold exclusively to JOYinCARE for distribution to Dutch healthcare providers. All products are produced under an ISO 13485:2016-certified quality management system, with bespoke fabrication, hand-craft inspection, and repair services offered. The atelier employs about 20 people, more than 30% of whom have a developmental need, and runs on a solar-powered, energy-self-sufficient setup.

Product overview

Confexion is a confectionery atelier in Assen, Netherlands, that produces a range of medical lifting slings (tilbanden) and transfer aids exclusively for JOYinCARE since 2012. The company operates as a social enterprise with approximately 20 employees, more than 30% of whom have developmental needs. Confexion's product portfolio centers on two core product categories—lifting slings and transfer aids—both designed to enhance client comfort and reduce physical strain on caregivers. All products are handcrafted, tested, and inspected at their Assen workshop, with custom solutions available for unique care situations. The products are distributed under the JOYinCARE brand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tilbanden (JOYinCARE lifting slings) Hand-crafted medical lifting slings (tilbanden) produced for JOYinCARE to provide comfort for patients and reduce physical strain on caregivers during patient handling. ISO 13485:2016-certified, with bespoke fabrication available for unique care situations.
• Transferhulpmiddelen (JOYinCARE transfer aids) Hand-crafted transfer aids manufactured for JOYinCARE to assist in the safe transfer of patients and reduce physical burden on healthcare workers. ISO 13485:2016-certified.
• Repair services for tilbands and transfer aids Repair services that extend the usable life of tilbands and transfer aids, supporting the company's circular-economy and sustainability commitments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,150 kg of used tilbands collected for recycling via the Green Gear Alliance; 750 kg fully recycled into new products such as underfloor and horse blankets; 2,541 kg CO₂ saved; 17,000 liters of water saved
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• WPDA & iWerk (Werkplein Drentsche Aa)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009WPDA/iWerk is a social employment service and work-learning company serving municipalities Aa en Hunze, Assen, and Tynaarlo under the Participatiewet and Wet Sociale Werkvoorziening. From Confexion's start in 2009, iWerk has provided employees and supported Confexion's inclusive workforce model. Marcel Zwiers (WPDA) describes Confexion as 'a beautiful example of social entrepreneurship.' A job coach from iWerk visits Confexion regularly to support and coach employees.
• Van Boeijen (Multa Meubelbedrijf)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVan Boeijen in Assen is an organization where clients live, receive support, and actively participate in society and work. Confexion partners with Multa Bedrijven (part of Van Boeijen) for cutting the straps for tilbands made at Confexion. Clients of Van Boeijen work according to their abilities, including green work, craftsmanship, industrial work, and service work. Marcel ten Brink (Van Boeijen) notes that clients learn social aspects of having a job through their work for Confexion.
• Mesdag KliniekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMesdag Kliniek in Groningen is a clinic treating clients with severe psychological problems in combination with offenses, offering outpatient treatment, protected living, clinical care, and TBS. With 17 different departments, clients perform tasks for Confexion such as cutting tilbands, assembling lift components, printing manuals, and making name labels. Niels Voss (therapist/mentor) describes Confexion as 'a social enterprise where humanity comes first, creating opportunities for people with a distance to the labor market.'
• AfeercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfeer is the social development company for the municipalities of Oldambt, Pekela, and Westerwolde, providing meaningful work for people with a distance to the labor market. The name 'Afeer' comes from the Groninger dialect meaning both 'work' and 'doing business.' Confexion outsources parts of its production process to Afeer, such as cutting fabrics for tilbands, and also has detached employees working on-site at Confexion.
• Inclusief GroepcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInclusief Groep is a work development company helping people with a distance to the labor market find sustainable work, employing approximately 1,000 people (90% with a support need) on behalf of seven municipalities on the Noord-Veluwe. Confexion outsources the production of safety clips to Inclusief Groep; these clips are used to attach Confexion's tilbands to JOYinCARE's patient lifts. JOYinCARE is also housed in the same building as Inclusief Groep, sharing office space, the company canteen, and jointly organizing lunches for external visitors.
• Green Gear Alliance (GGA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Green Gear Alliance (GGA) is a sector initiative for a circular future of personal protective equipment such as work clothing and safety shoes. Confexion joined in 2023 to have its used tilbands recycled. As of the source date, 1,150 kg of tilbands had been collected, of which 750 kg fully recycled into new products (underfloor and horse blankets), saving 2,541 kg CO₂ and 17,000 liters of water. The GGA develops collection and processing systems and offers companies concrete solutions to contribute to circularity.
• JOYinCAREflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJOYinCARE is Confexion's primary customer and exclusive offtake buyer. Confexion's atelier exclusively produces tilbands and other textile products for JOYinCARE, which then distributes the finished medical devices (tilbands, transfer aids, lifts) to healthcare institutions. JOYinCARE is a specialist in lift and transfer solutions, focused on reducing physical load in care and keeping care accessible and affordable. Confexion is produced at JOYinCARE's request and is part of the Avance Care Group alongside JOYinCARE.
• Avance Care GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerConfexion is a member of the Avance Care Group, alongside JOYinCARE (lift and transfer specialist) and TR-Care (full-service maintenance provider). The Avance Care Group's mission is to transform care environments where clients, caregivers, and employees receive the attention they deserve. Avance Care Group provides Confexion with shared services on general business matters (HR, finance, legal) so that Confexion can fully focus on its mission of being meaningful for people and the environment.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Liko (Baxter / Hillrom): Patient lift and sling brand within Baxter (via Hillrom), one of the largest global medical device groups. Overlaps with Confexion on lifting slings and ceiling lift systems, but operates at industrial scale as part of a broad medical equipment portfolio.
• Invacare: Global manufacturer of home and long-term care medical equipment, including patient lifts and slings. Overlaps with Confexion on transfer aids but operates at a much broader portfolio scale across mobility, respiratory, and daily living aids.
• Etac: Swedish developer and manufacturer of mobility, transfer, and patient handling equipment, including slings and transfer aids. Overlaps with Confexion in transfer aids but operates as a broader mobility and assistive technology specialist across Europe.

Direct peers

• Handicare / Direct Healthcare Group: European manufacturer of patient lifts, transfer aids, stairlifts, and reusable slings following the merger of Handicare and Direct Healthcare Group. Comparable to Confexion as a direct competitor in slings and transfer aids across European healthcare markets.
• Guldmann: Danish manufacturer of patient lifting systems and a wide range of reusable lifting slings and transfer aids for hospitals, care homes, and home care. Directly comparable to Confexion as a producer of medical textile slings used for patient handling, with deeper European scale.
• Arjo: Swedish medical device company (spun off from Getinge) that manufactures patient lifts, slings, transfer aids, and pressure injury solutions for healthcare. Directly comparable to Confexion across both the lift hardware category and the reusable medical textile sling category.
• Prism Medical UK: UK-based supplier and manufacturer of patient lifting equipment, ceiling hoists, and slings for care environments. Comparable to Confexion in the sling and transfer aid category, serving similar institutional healthcare buyers.
• Silvalea: UK-based specialist manufacturer of patient transfer slings and hoists, with a deep catalog of reusable medical textile slings. A close comparable to Confexion in product focus and target customer base (healthcare institutions), though at larger scale and with broader geographic reach.
• Pelican Manufacturing: Australian manufacturer of patient handling slings, transfer belts, and reusable textile medical aids. Directly comparable to Confexion as a focused medical textile sling producer serving care institutions, though operating primarily in the Asia-Pacific region.

Emerging players

• Benmor Medical: UK specialist in patient handling equipment, including ceiling hoists and slings supplied to hospitals and care homes. Comparable to Confexion as a smaller, focused player in the patient handling niche with overlap in reusable medical textile slings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/confexion

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Confexion