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May 6 2008 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

A look back at the growth of Peacocks Medical Group:

Aug 2001: Peacocks Medical Group has added ‘‘Posturecare’’ to its expanding product range. The addition is expected to attract business from outside the region. Posturecare comprises four main elements – static seating, wheelchair services, harnesses and sleeping systems.

May 2006: Peacocks Medical Group in Newcastle is set to tie-up an agreement with a Shanghai business partner to sell its specialised medical supports and braces to a hospital in the city.

The products supplied by the Tyneside business will aid the elderly as well as patients suffering from injuries or genetic conditions. The deal could create up to 15 jobs at Peacocks’ base in Benfield Business Park where the devices will be designed. The 100-year-old company says that work done by regional development agency One NorthEast has helped it to crack the Chinese market.

Jan 2007: A CENTURY-old medical manufacturer is looking to achieve £10m sales within the next five years and become the largest company in its sector.

Peacocks Medical Group, which has been trading out of Newcastle for 103 years, wants to add £3m to its current turnover by growing its orthotics division. Peacocks employs 126 people in five divisions over three sites, which includes 60 staff at its manufacturing plant at Benfield Business Park and a shop in Newcastle which sells around 300 items a week.

Aug 2007: Peacocks Medical Group, which custom-makes foot and heel cushions to treat various conditions of the foot and ankle, is celebrating the four contract wins.

The company, based in Benfield Business Park, Newcastle, will now be supplying University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Airedale NHS Trust, Taunton and Somerset NHS trust and Dorset PCT.

The company was originally set up to supply an orthotic service to the population of the North East, but has expanded rapidly and is now a successful national supplier.

April 2008: A CENTURY-old medical equipment business plans to open a manufacturing plant in China as it continues its drive to become the largest company in its sector.

Newcastle-based Peacocks Medical Group, which makes specialist footwear, leg braces and callipers, has set up a presence in a hospital in Shanghai for the supply of orthotic shoes and insoles.

The firm hopes to open a manufacturing plant to supply the shoes to China’s growing diabetic population which are at risk of ulceration of the foot.

Peacocks is working in partnership with Shanghai’s Number Six hospital and Newcastle General Hospital’s diabetic centre to train Chinese doctors to take measurements for the bespoke shoes.