Our Story
The LINET story is a true entrepreneurial journey that started in 1990 in a small town in the outskirts of Prague. Our founder, Zbyněk Frolík worked as a technical director and facilities manager in the largest hospital system in the Czech Republic. It was there he saw an opportunity to create a better hospital bed, a bed that through technological innovation could advance patient safety and make a nurse’s job easier and safer. And in that idea, the foundation of LINET was born.
The start of LINET consisted of one simple investment, equivalent to $10,000, which was used to purchase an abandoned farmhouse. The farmhouse, which remains part of the LINET manufacturing facility today, was converted into a hospital bed production plant. Each year, LINET has reinvested earnings from the company to expand its operational footprint, totaling over 330,000 square feet today.
The focus and spirit of LINET product development is to truly innovate – to create an object of desire for our customers and ultimately our patients. We offer something above and beyond the status quo. Mr. Frolík saw the value of gaining customer input when thinking through each design decision. Market research and first-hand customer feedback continue to drive key decisions. Caregivers and hospital staff are consulted regularly for what they need to do their job effectively and safely. Product improvements are incorporated directly from their countless hours of experience.
Customers quickly began to react to LINET. In 2004, Mr. Frolík was voted finalist for World Entrepreneur of the Year with the likes of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs for his role in LINET’s ground-up growth. Today, over one million frames have been installed worldwide and LINET is the number one hospital bed producer in Europe. Throughout this unprecedented growth, LINET’s vision remains laser-focused on improvement and innovation with a customer-centered approach.
In 2010, LINET made the decision to expand to the United States. The American headquarters is located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Here at LINET Americas, we see caregivers and hospital staff reacting very positively toward our presence and the option for a better way to provide patient care. Our customers welcome the opportunity to evaluate something new, different and that positively impacts patient care – without burdening their already tight budgets. We take great pride in our products and command a belief that we are making a difference – not only for caregiver efficiency, but for nurse and patient safety.
We are excited to be on this journey and look forward to the challenges and rewards that lie ahead as we help develop the future of healthcare.
