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Reliance 1898-2018 Reliance Chairs
Reliance 1898-2018 Reliance Chairs

120 years Strong. And we've only just begun.

Strength and longevity don't just describe our products. They capture the heritage and spirit of our entire company, the never-wavering commitment of the people and partners of Reliance Medical Products to make our customers' success as enduring as ours.

Our People

What's the story behind our success? There are many. See what makes our company, our culture, and our clarity of purpose not only stand out but also stand the test of time.

Ernest Cavin
Ernest Cavin

A REPUTATION 120 YEARS IN THE MAKING.

by Ernest Cavin, CEO/President
Reliance Medical Products/Haag-Streit USA

Behind every chair, stool, cabinet or stand from Reliance Medical Products is a story. A story of a company that began first selling whitewash sprayers to farmers; and since has morphed into a leading name in high-quality exam and procedure chairs, surgical stools, instrument delivery systems, treatment cabinets and room lighting systems for ophthalmic and ENT medical practices. It's a story of ingenuity, resolve and resilience.

As we reach our 120th year I'd like to take this opportunity to highlight what's made us so successful over the years.

Read More (PDF Download)

PRIDE THAT ENDURES

Every cut, every stitch, every turn of a tool from long-time Reliance employees like Brandon Vance, Terry Kuethe, and more makes a difference. It's their pride in their work and workplace that makes us so proud of them.

  • "I can't come up with any better way to sum up my experience here than to say how fast the time goes every day. Coming to work doesn't come across as labor, but rather accomplishments. I enjoy coming here and walking out with a list of things I got knocked out in the time allotted and thinking about what is to come tomorrow. My co-workers have a hand in this as well. The selflessness I see here is like no other, watching people come together to complete a task – not like work associates, but family."

    Brandon Vance | Reliance employee since 2005

  • "I have worked for Reliance Medical for nearly 40 years in several different departments. I have experienced many changes but as I look back it is always the people I worked directly or indirectly with that I think about the most and the memories and friendships that I will always treasure."

    Terry Kuethe | Reliance employee since 1979

Our Products

Reliance is more than just our name. It's at the very core of how our products have been built from the beginning, from whitewash sprayers in the 1890's to hydraulic barber chairs in the 1920's to our current line of exam and procedure chairs, instrument delivery systems, ENT treatment cabinets and more.

  • 1890s

    Reliance Product History

    Brothers Fred and Frank Koenigkramer of Cincinnati, sons of German immigrants, develop a white-wash sprayer for farmers that doesn't clog.

  • 1898

    Reliance Product History

    The innovative white-wash sprayer is wildly successful and the Koenigkramer brothers establish an official business partnership.

  • 1900s

    Reliance Product History

    The partnership continues with even more successful products like hydraulic lifts for barber chairs.

  • 1920

    Reliance Product History

    The Koenigkramers begin manufacturing barber and beauty chairs –incorporating their hydraulic lifts – under the brand name "Reliance".

  • 1920s-30s

    Reliance Product History

    Product lines expand to include a chair for osteopathy, a chair for podiatry, a stool, stand and an adjustable chair for ophthalmology.

  • 1940s

    Reliance Product History

    Following WWII, Fred and Frank sell their company to Frank T. Hamilton, a Cincinnati businessman who incorporates the business as F. & F. Koenigkramer Company.

  • 1960s

    Reliance Product History

    Reliance changes its name to Reliance Medical Equipment, focusing on producing high-quality exam and procedure chairs, surgical stools, instrument delivery systems, treatment cabinets and a room lighting system for ophthalmic and ENT medical practices.

  • 1988

    Reliance Product History

    Haag-Streit International acquires Reliance Medical Products.

Our Partners

Led by our belief that collaboration and inspiration drive excellence, our relationships with medical professionals, industry key opinion leaders, and our network of dealers have been crucial to our success.

"When I opened the Carolina Ear & Hearing Clinic in 1993, I wanted to establish an "Academic Private Practice." That meant I had to furnish my clinic with sophisticated equipment; equipment that was not only efficient but also aesthetically pleasing. I made the right choice with chairs and cabinets from Reliance Medical Products. Not only am I still using Reliance chairs, I am still using the SAME Reliance chairs I purchased back in 1993. They've definitely been a sound investment for me. "

John McElveen, Jr., MD
Owner, Carolina Ear and Hearing Clinic, Raleigh, NC

Built to support. Built to last.

Taking a look back makes us even more excited about the future ahead as we focus on new products and innovations every day, all featuring the American-made craftsmanship, durability and style that got us where we are today – and will make the next 120 years even stronger than the first.