ELYRIA, Ohio--Invacare Corp. has formed a group to serve as the umbrella organization for a number of specialty product lines. The Helixx Group will include Freedom Designs, Kuschall North America and Motion Concepts. Invacare's PinDot brand will also be aligned with the new entity.

All lines unified under the group serve the rehab sector: Freedom Designs offers wheelchairs and seating and positioning products; Kuschall manufacturers ultra-light wheelchairs; Motion Concepts focuses on seating and positioning; and PinDot offers custom seating.

Chris Yessayan has been appointed vice president and general manager of The Helixx Group, and will report directly to Lou Slangen, Invacare's senior vice president of global market development. Previously, Yessayan served as vice president and general manager of the Radiation Measurement and Protection Unit at Santa Fe, N.M.-based Thermo Electron Corp.

"Establishing The Helixx Group as the overall unifying entity for Freedom Designs, Kuschall, Motion and PinDot is part of Invacare's overall strategy to keep these specialty product line companies distinct and separate from the Invacare brand," Slangen said, adding that retaining their unique identities allows the companies "to focus on what they do best, which is what propelled each company and brand to a premier position in their segment."