Founded in 1990, Tredegar-based Frontier Medical Group is a global leader in pressure area care.
The company designs and manufactures innovative medical devices to prevent and treat pressure ulcers – injuries caused by prolonged pressure on the skin that can lead to serious complications for patients.
Its flagship product line, Repose®, has been used to treat over three million patients worldwide and is supported by over 20 years of clinical data.
Focus on Export
Exporting has become a cornerstone of Frontier’s growth strategy. The business now trades in 34 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North and South America, with exports accounting for 30% of overall turnover. The company also has two international bases in Germany and the USA, supporting its global reach.
Since focusing on overseas expansion, the company has recorded a 70% growth in International Trade over the past three years. This has been achieved by strengthening its position with current distributors as well as entering new markets with new partners.
Over the past three years, Frontier has signed agreements with 11 new distributors across nine key markets including in Hong Kong and New Zealand. As part of the next phase of growth, the company plans to expand into Scandinavia and South Korea, where demand for advanced medical solutions is on the rise.
Support from Welsh Government export programmes has been instrumental in its export success, providing access to in-market expertise, trade missions, and market intelligence to accelerate entry into new territories.
Alongside supplying healthcare providers directly in the UK, Europe and North America, Frontier now works with 24 distributors worldwide including in Canada, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Australia, Benelux, Mexico and Singapore.
Feedback from these international partners has enabled the company to refine and adapt its products to meet specific regional healthcare needs.
Innovation is the Key to Success
Innovation continues to be central to Frontier’s strategy, ensuring it maintains a competitive edge. The company has recently opened a new innovation hub at Cardiff Medicentre - a joint venture between Cardiff University and Cardiff & Vale University Health Board – to develop next-generation solutions for global healthcare. The hub will provide Frontier with direct access to leading academic, clinical and engineering expertise.
Ian Poulter, International Distribution Manager at Frontier Medical Group, said:
“Exporting has become a vital driver of growth. Expanding into new markets has reduced our reliance on any single territory and enabled us to reach thousands more patients globally.”
“We’ve strengthened our existing distributor relationships and entered nine new markets, which would not have been possible without the support of the Welsh Government’s international trade advisors. Their help has been invaluable in accelerating our global footprint and bringing proven medical solutions to more healthcare providers worldwide.”