A partnership built to last: WAN and Lojer Group supporting German healthcare together

When a partnership spans decades, it is built on more than products alone. For German family-owned company WAN GmbH, the long-standing cooperation around the Merivaara Lojer hospital beds portfolio has grown through reliable products, close communication and a shared understanding of the needs of healthcare professionals. 

WAN’s cooperation with Merivaara began as early as 1990–1991. Today, WAN continues to represent Merivaara Lojer products in the German healthcare market. Merivaara is a member of Lojer Group. 

WAN has a long tradition dating back to 1959. Magnus Hermann serves as one of its managing directors. He joined the family business in 2009 and is responsible for its medical technology business. 

A partnership spanning decades

The partnership began with hospital beds and later expanded to include products such as patient stretchers. Over the years, WAN has built extensive product expertise and strong relationships with hospitals across Germany. Regular contact with healthcare customers also gives the company valuable insight into what is happening in the market and what hospitals need from their equipment suppliers. 

For Magnus Hermann, one of the strengths of the relationship with Lojer Group is straightforward communication and knowing that support is available when needed. 

“Good conversation, good products. If there’s a problem, there’s a fast solution.” 

Having dedicated contacts makes it possible to discuss everything from individual challenges and pricing to spare parts and service. Magnus Hermann also highlights the availability of after-sales support as an important part of the cooperation. 

This close relationship between a Finnish manufacturer and a German distributor demonstrates the value of international cooperation: local market knowledge is combined with manufacturing and product expertise to serve healthcare customers effectively. 

Emergo – proven in everyday hospital use

At the heart of WAN’s Merivaara Lojer portfolio is the Emergo patient stretcher. WAN has supplied a significant number of Emergo stretchers to German hospitals over the years, giving the company extensive first-hand experience of the product. 

Magnus Hermann highlights several characteristics behind its success: a modular design, solid construction, easy maintenance, a wide selection of accessories and ease of use. Customers can choose between different configurations according to their needs. 

The scale of its use is perhaps best demonstrated by one German public hospital, which currently has approximately 150 Emergo patient stretchers. The stretchers are used for several purposes, including patient transportation, emergency care and recovery after minor procedures, where patients may remain on the stretcher for several hours. 

For healthcare professionals, practical details can make a significant difference in a busy working environment. Magnus Hermann points to the fifth wheel as one example: 

“It allows a single healthcare professional to manoeuvre the transporter instead of requiring two people. Features such as easily removable side rails and push bars also support smooth everyday use.” 

Quality that can be seen over time

Medical equipment must perform reliably not only when it is new, but year after year in demanding clinical environments. WAN’s long experience with Merivaara Lojer products provides a valuable perspective on their long-term durability. 

“The quality is very, very good,” Magnus Hermann says. 

This durability is particularly important in healthcare, where equipment is used continuously and needs to support professionals in providing safe and efficient patient care. For a distributor, dependable quality also builds confidence: the products they represent must perform in the real-world environments of their customers. 

Local market expertise meets international experience

A successful distributor partnership is not a one-way relationship. WAN brings decades of experience and in-depth knowledge of the German healthcare market, while Lojer Group combines Finnish manufacturing and product expertise with decades of experience in international healthcare markets. 

One aspect Magnus Hermann particularly values is the dialogue between the market and product development. 

“Over the years, Lojer’s and Merivaara’s development teams have asked us about the market situation and customer needs in order to improve their products. I really value that.” 

The exchange of knowledge is an important part of developing products that respond to the realities of healthcare. A distributor who knows both the products and the local market in depth can provide a valuable link between the manufacturer and the professionals using the equipment every day. 

A relationship built on trust and expertise

The cooperation between WAN and Merivaara Lojer demonstrates what a long-term international partnership can achieve. It combines WAN’s local expertise and close relationships with German hospitals with Lojer Group’s product knowledge, manufacturing capabilities and commitment to quality. 

Magnus Hermann also points to Lojer’s responsiveness as a manufacturer. Based on his experience, orders can be produced quickly compared with some competitors – another practical advantage when serving healthcare customers. 

Ultimately, however, the partnership comes back to something simple: reliable products and people who know they can turn to each other when needed. 

As Magnus Hermann describes it: 

“It’s a good relationship between the distributor and the manufacturer.” 

Decades after the cooperation first began, that relationship continues to connect Finnish medical equipment expertise with the needs of German healthcare – and to support the professionals who rely on these products in their daily work.