What Showerbuddy does

Showerbuddy (legal entity: Showerbuddy Pty Ltd, incorporated in Australia; physical headquarters at 37 Whaui Street, Vogeltown, Wellington, New Zealand) is a privately held designer and manufacturer of bathroom transfer and mobility equipment founded in 2004. The company addresses the needs of individuals with reduced mobility due to disability, injury, age, or chronic conditions, along with the occupational therapists, physical therapists, caregivers, aged and disability service providers, and mobility equipment retailers who support them. Its core proposition is enabling safe bathroom access without structural remodeling, through modular transfer systems built on aircraft-grade Grade 6061 T6 aluminum frames and Grade 304 stainless steel hardware.

The product portfolio spans the ShowerBuddy SB1 modular shower chair system, the TubBuddy transfer range (SB2, SB2T) for bathtub-over-shower configurations, the ShowerGlyde sliding transfer range (SG1–SG3), the Roll-InBuddy series (SB6c Lite, SB6c-22 XL, SB6c-26 XXL, SB3T Tilt, SB6w Solo) for roll-in showers, the Travel Range (Eco Traveller SB7e, Solo Traveller SB7w), the Petite Range (P1, P2) for smaller users, and the CareBuddy SB9 scripted rehabilitation platform configured to clinical prescription. Supporting offerings include the BathCheck mobile assessment app for OTs/PTs (launched 2020) and Toga Care modesty gowns (launched 2025), plus an extensive modular accessory ecosystem for cushions, backrests, bridges, and positioning supports.

The business model is primarily one-time hardware sales executed through a global network of authorized distributors and direct e-commerce via shower-buddy.com, with quote-based pricing for configured orders, calculated shipping at checkout, and a rent-to-buy option in response to rising hire demand. Revenue mechanics are hardware-driven with aftermarket accessory attach, and clinical adoption is supported through OT/PT-facing content marketing, the BathCheck app, and alignment with Australia's NDIS and Support at Home funding frameworks. The company operates with a lean team of 6 employees, no disclosed external funding, and is led by CEO Barry Redican.

Name

Showerbuddy

Legal name

Showerbuddy Pty Ltd

Website

https://shower-buddy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Showerbuddy designs, manufactures, and sells modular bathroom transfer chairs and mobility equipment for people with reduced mobility, distributing globally through authorized partners and direct e-commerce while supporting clinical prescription via its BathCheck app.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Assistive Bathroom Mobility Equipment

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)

akta.pro primary industry

Home Accessibility & Bathroom Safety DME (Grab Bars, Shower Chairs, Raised Toilets, Ramps) (HLAHAMAF)

Keywords

• Bathroom mobility equipment
• Shower transfer chairs
• Assistive mobility devices
• Bathroom accessibility solutions
• Rehabilitation shower chairs

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Shower Chair Sales: Showerbuddy generates revenue primarily through the sale of shower transfer chairs and mobility equipment. Products are sold as one-time purchases with various configuration options. The company also sells accessories separately to customize chairs.
2. Accessory Sales: Separate sale of accessories including cushions, backrests, armrests, footrests, bridge extensions, and other configurable components that can be added to or replace parts on existing chairs.
3. Rent-to-Buy Program: Showerbuddy mentions rent-to-buy AT (assistive technology) options as demand for hire is rising, suggesting a rental model with purchase pathway.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Showerbuddy designs, manufactures, and sells modular shower transfer chairs and bathroom mobility equipment that enable individuals with mobility challenges to safely access showers, bathtubs, and toilets without requiring bathroom modifications. The product range covers the SB1 ShowerBuddy, TubBuddy SB2/SB2T, ShowerGlyde, Roll-InBuddy SB6c series, Travel Range (Eco Traveller SB7e, Solo Traveller SB7w), Transit Buddy TB1, Petite Buddy P1/P2, and the configurable CareBuddy SB9 rehabilitation platform, complemented by a BathCheck mobile assessment app for occupational and physical therapists. Configurable accessories, Toga Care modesty gowns, and a rent-to-buy assistive technology pathway round out the offering.

Product overview

Showerbuddy offers a comprehensive range of bathroom mobility transfer solutions comprising multiple product lines designed for different bathroom configurations and user needs. The core portfolio includes the ShowerBuddy (SB1) modular shower chair system, the TubBuddy transfer range (SB2, SB2T) for bathtub-over-shower configurations, the ShowerGlyde sliding transfer range (SG1-SG3), and the Roll-InBuddy series (SB6c variants) for roll-in showers available in Lite, XL, XXL, Tilt, and Solo configurations. The Travel Range includes the Eco Traveller (SB7e) and Solo Traveller (SB7w) for portable use. The Petite Range (P1, P2) serves smaller users. The CareBuddy SB9 represents a new configurable rehabilitation platform configured to clinical prescriptions. Supporting products include the BathCheck mobile assessment app for OTs and PTs, Toga Care modesty gowns, and a comprehensive accessories range including cushions, backrests, bridges, height extenders, and positioning supports. All products share a common design philosophy of eliminating bathroom modifications while providing toilet, commode, and shower functionality.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ShowerBuddy: Core brand for shower chair and bathroom transfer solutions. Product line includes SB1 shower chair system.
• TubBuddy
• Roll-InBuddy
• CareBuddy
• Petite Buddy
• Eco Traveller
• Transit Buddy
• BathCheck
• Toga Care

Products and services

• ShowerBuddy SB1 Modular shower chair and track system designed to clear raised shower tray edges, enabling seated transfer into roll-in showers without bathroom modifications.
• TubBuddy SB2 Transfer system that slides seated users across a bridge over bathtub edges for showering, functioning as a full-featured toilet chair and bedside commode with no bathroom modifications required.
• TubBuddy Tilt SB2T Tilting variant of the TubBuddy transfer system providing adjustable recline positioning for users requiring postural support during bathing.
• ShowerGlyde SG1 SG2 SG3 Sliding transfer range that glides users over shower tray edges, providing smooth transition into roll-in showers in multiple size configurations.
• Roll-InBuddy Lite SB6c Compact roll-in shower chair for users needing transfer into roll-in showers, with commode functionality and adjustable features.
• Roll-InBuddy XL SB6c-22 Extra-large roll-in shower chair accommodating users up to 22 inches between arms, with commode and transfer capabilities.
• Roll-InBuddy XXL SB6c-26 Expanded extra-large roll-in shower chair accommodating users up to 26 inches between arms, designed for larger users requiring bathroom transfer support.
• Roll-InBuddy Tilt SB3T Tilting roll-in shower chair providing adjustable recline angles for users requiring postural support during bathing, with commode functionality.
• Roll-InBuddy Solo SB6w Solo-use roll-in shower chair designed for independent users who can self-transfer, enabling bathroom access without carer assistance.
• Eco Traveller SB7e Portable, lightweight travel shower chair for users who travel frequently, with optional extension legs for accommodation in various settings.
• Transit Buddy TB1 Basic transfer shower chair for users requiring simple bathroom transfers with standard commode functionality.
• Petite Buddy P1 Compact shower chair designed for smaller or younger users, featuring narrower arm spacing and adjusted dimensions for pediatric or petite adult use.
• Petite Buddy P2 Full conversion kit for smaller users, bringing the Petite Buddy configuration to primary Showerbuddy products with adjusted cushions and components.
• Solo Traveller SB7w Portable solo-travel shower chair for independent users requiring bathroom access support while traveling, with compact disassembly.
• CareBuddy SB9 Fully scripted rehabilitation platform configured to clinical prescriptions, where every component from cushion selection to lateral support is prescribed to the individual user's needs rather than supplied as a fixed chair.
• BathCheck Mobile App Mobile app providing a guided bathroom assessment wizard that walks occupational and physical therapists through measuring bathrooms, capturing dimensions and key details, and recommending the best-fitting Showerbuddy transfer chair with appropriate accessories.
• Toga Care Modesty gown made from soft absorbent terry towelling, designed for seated application and removal while providing front coverage and open-back access for caregivers during bathing and toileting routines.

Quantifiable outcome

• Setup and shower can be achieved on the same day
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Occupational TherapistscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOTs are central to Showerbuddy's business model. They conduct bathroom assessments and prescribe appropriate Showerbuddy products. The BathCheck app was designed specifically to streamline OT assessment workflows.
• Physical TherapistscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPTs work with clients on physical rehabilitation and use Showerbuddy products as part of recovery plans. The BathCheck app supports PT assessments alongside OTs.
• Mobility Equipment RetailerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetailers and distributors sell Showerbuddy products to end users. The company provides BathCheck integration allowing retailers to receive assessment data for seamless ordering.
• NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShowerbuddy products comply with NDIS standards in Australia. The company provides resources for OTs on how to justify bathroom AT under NDIS & Support at Home funding.
• Healthcare ProfessionalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShowerbuddy has worked closely with occupational therapists for almost two decades, incorporating their feedback into product design, dimensions, and accessories.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Arjo: Global medical device company providing patient hygiene systems, shower trolleys, and bath transfer solutions alongside broader hospital and acute-care equipment. Overlaps with Showerbuddy's bath/hygiene transfer category but competes across a much wider portfolio.
• Performance Health: Distributor and manufacturer of rehabilitation and homecare products including bath safety, transfer benches, and shower chairs under brands like Sammons Preston and Rolyan. Competes with Showerbuddy through retail, distributor, and clinical channels.
• Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare: Large US-based DME manufacturer and distributor with an extensive bath safety line including shower chairs, transfer benches, and commodes. Competes with Showerbuddy at the retail and institutional level, but with far broader category coverage and scale.
• Invacare: Global DME manufacturer offering bathroom safety, shower chairs, commodes, and transfer aids as part of a comprehensive mobility and homecare portfolio. Significant overlap with Showerbuddy's product category, though Invacare's reach and channel breadth are substantially larger.

Direct peers

• Raz Design: Canadian manufacturer of shower commode chairs with modular, configurable designs and a strong focus on pressure-care and positioning. Directly comparable to Showerbuddy's modular, clinically configurable shower chair approach and similar clinician-driven specification.
• Nuprodx: Specialist manufacturer of portable shower commode chairs and mobility solutions designed for travel and small bathrooms. Closely comparable to Showerbuddy's travel-focused SKUs (Eco Traveller, Solo Traveller) and its emphasis on non-modification access.
• Pressalit Care: Danish manufacturer of accessibility solutions including shower chairs, wash-basin units, and adjustable bathroom equipment. Closely comparable to Showerbuddy in its focus on no-modification bathroom access for mobility-impaired users, serving both institutional and individual buyers.
• Handicare: Accessibility and patient handling equipment manufacturer offering bath lifts, transfer benches, and shower chairs. Now operating under the Etac Group but historically a focused competitor in the bathroom transfer DME category serving similar end users and clinical channels.
• Etac: Swedish-headquartered global DME manufacturer offering a broad range of shower chairs, bath transfer benches, and commodes (e.g., Clean, Swift, Basic). Directly competes with Showerbuddy in the bathroom accessibility DME category with similar customer segments (OTs, aged care, individuals with mobility challenges).
• Clarke Healthcare: Manufacturer of shower commode chairs, attendant-propelled and self-propelled wheeled commodes, and bathroom mobility equipment. Direct competitor in the niche of wheeled shower commode chairs for mobility-impaired users, with overlapping customer segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@showerbuddyaustralia1803
• Facebookfacebook.com/showerbuddyAU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/showerbuddy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Showerbuddy