ELYRIA, Ohio--Invacare Corp. announced Friday that in response to ongoing changes in the industry, the company will restructure its North American HME business into a more cost-effective and efficient business model. The company's rehab, respiratory, standard and sleep product divisions will be reorganized into an umbrella organization called the HME Group.

Carl Will has been appointed group vice president, HME Group. Previously, Will had responsibility for Invacare's institutional and standard products, which have both shown growth under his leadership, according to a company press release. He will report to Gerry Blouch, president and COO.

Among those reporting to Will will be Mark Sullivan, vice president and category manager, rehab products; Judy Kovacs, vice president and category manager, standard and home care products; and John Ledek, vice president and category manager, respiratory products.

Ann MacGregor, former vice president and category manager, sleep products, will be leaving the company, and all sleep product activities will be consolidated with the respiratory products division.

"The HME Group proved to be a cost-effective and efficient business model, and at a time when the industry continues to change and evolve, it was important for Invacare to return to this structure," Blouch said.

Late last month, the company announced it is discontinuing its Kuschall line of custom manual wheelchairs in North America, though it will continue Kuschall operations in Europe where the brand is a market leader in lightweight and ultra-lightweight chairs.

Invacare said new orders for Kuschall wheelchairs were accepted up to Dec. 29, 2006, with quotes up to that point to be honored through Feb. 28. Kuschall parts will still be available in the U.S., and the company is considering U.S. distribution of Kuschall chairs through specialty distributors.