FOBI Medical, which began as FiberOptic Bulbs Incorporated in Texas in 1996, has adapted to keep pace with the health care industry to provide products and services.
“FOBI Medical began by selling Xenon and all types of medical lamps and by 2000 had expanded into medical batteries,” explains Keith Przybyla. “My background is in surgical sales. In the mid-1990s that market was experiencing a profound change — contract driven purchasing. The OR surgical market uses a face-to-face sales approach, which I prefer. I shifted my efforts to biomedical engineering and brought the personal sales approach with me.”
In its region, FOBI Medical is the official representative of Fluke Biomedical and Unfors RaySafe, as well as an exclusive distributor for Analytical Industries, Bay Corporation, and many others. FOBI is also a preferred vendor for several regional and national independent service organizations (ISOs). FOBI’s dedication to service, quality, and integrity has earned them a favored status with their vendors. Przybyla states confidently, “We regard each sale as an opportunity to pass on those qualities to our customers.”
We want to provide value both before and after the sale. Hence our motto: Define. Discover. Deliver. We Define our partner’s needs. Discover solutions to those needs. And, Deliver the products and service requested.”
“Our customers do not have to rely on a call center or a salesperson sitting behind a computer in a different time zone to identify their problem and offer a solution. We provide hands-on service whenever possible,” Przybyla says. “Our partners (customers) tell us repeatedly how much they appreciate the reciprocal connection.”
“A position we are most proud of,” states Przybyla, “is our ability to continually provide value at a competitive price. We know our customers will shop a product, but we also know, after 20 years, that most respect the value we do provide. A major part of that value is the personal assistance of a FOBI representative recommending the best products and services available. That’s trust a website cannot provide.”
“Our internal staff is dedicated to perfecting the buying experience from the initial quote request to the packaging and shipping of that order,” he adds. “Our sales force of personable, knowledgeable, and helpful outside sales people, is combined with a super strong internal sales staff supporting them. FOBI brings a completely unique dynamic to the end user.”
Another customer-friendly aspect of the FOBI customer support model is its new website.
“FOBI Medical is extremely proud to announce the new website allowing customers to log in and secure their pricing and create custom quotes. When you have been totally personable with your customers for more than 20 years, it’s a little different to back off and let them do some of the shopping. Our initial response has been very well received. Our customers like the convenience and simplicity of the new site. But, they still love us stopping by,” Przybyla says.
“We also shifted our focus to a more service-centric model,” Przybyla says.
“We upped our investment in our customer’s well being and found a way to bring their cost of goods and services down.” “We have combined the buying power all our customers and made significant purchases for the items they need serviced most. Repairs and labor costs have been reduced dramatically.”
“We are staying true to providing the total value solution and continuously looking for ways to provide the commodity and value added services at the most competitive prices,” he adds.
FOBI strives to create strong personal relationships, strong brand recognition, strong customer loyalty, and local representation in specified areas with boots on the ground. FOBI has no problem going the extra mile for its customers.
“Most products arrive next day in our core territories, which lower product costs and down-time to our customers,” Przybyla says. “We customize orders per the customer’s request. When our customers express a need to have something assembled or designed, FOBI makes it happen.”
Big things are happening at FOBI as the company finds new ways to help new and existing customers in 2017 and beyond.
“We’ve recently partnered with Precision Medical to service and sell their products across most of the USA,” Przybyla says. “In addition, we will be introducing new products and partnerships in 2017. This will expand our capabilities and provide our partner/customer’s new products and services as per their requests.”
Przybyla adds, “We’re excited about the massive surge in our air oxygen blender service, and anticipate it continuing through 2017.”
“Transitioning from a regional to a national company is definitely on the horizon. FOBI has traditionally relied on word of mouth and did not advertise or promote the company,” Przybyla says. “With growth in regional and national ISO accounts combining with a total reconstruction of the website and nationwide marketing plan, FOBI Medical is poised for growth during the latter half of the decade. We understand the importance of the electronic medium and will continue to use and design uncomplicated systems making the FOBI experience effortless.
For more information about FOBI, visit FOBI.us.