Ulverston-based Bender UK has signed an exclusive distributor agreement with a Finland firm to supply operating tables to hospitals and healthcare facilities in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Bender UK has an existing agreement with Merivaara to supply its award-winning Q-Flow surgical lights.

The firm says Merivaara Practico and Promerix Operating electro-mechanical mobile tables complement its turnkey healthcare offering.

The tables offer up to one-week battery life between charges and incorporate an integrated charger/transformer, enabling optional main power use.

The UK market has over 100 Merivaara operating tables installed and Bender UK can now offer new and existing customers a fully comprehensive maintenance package as part of their service operation currently supporting more than 400 hospitals.

A Merivaara table is the centrepiece of the new operating theatre demonstration area at the Ulverston head office to enable clinical staff to get hands-on experience of the equipment. The area also includes other Bender equipment.

Bender clinical sales manager Sam Parry said: “Securing the exclusive distribution rights for the Merivaara operating table range in the UK and the Republic of Ireland presents an exciting opportunity for Bender UK.

"The Promerix table is ideal for multi-disciplined operating theatres, using the one table for all types of surgery."

Merivaara has nearly 120 years’ experience in the healthcare market.