DALLAS – Last month at Medtrade, attendees at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas cast votes for their favorite products in the New Product Pavilion Provider’s Choice Awards, sponsored by HomeCare Media.
The Provider’s Choice Silver went to the Wrappon ORB from Tokyo-based Nihon Safety Co, Ltd. The Wrappon ORB is a portable dry toilet that automatically wraps and seals waste in plastic, controlling odors and making cleanup easy for caregivers. Medtrade Monday chatted with James Oostdyk, president of Wrappon USA, to learn more about the product and why it resonated with attendees.
Medtrade Monday: Why do you think attendees responded so well to your product?
James Oostdyk: Assistance with toileting presents a considerable challenge for both caregivers and individuals receiving care, often impacting hygiene, dignity, and overall quality of life. Wrappon offers a hygienic and efficient solution by eliminating the need for bucket cleaning, thereby reducing caregiver burden while preserving the dignity of the user. Given these critical benefits, Wrappon has been recognized as an essential innovation in caregiving, addressing the fundamental needs of both patients and healthcare providers.
Medtrade Monday: How do you describe the product to interested dealers?
Oostdyk: One of the most significant advantages of this system is the elimination of manual bucket cleaning, which enhances hygiene and reduces caregiver burden. By removing the need for bucket washing, this device streamlines waste management. Once the film cassette is installed, it allows for up to 60 uses before replacement.
The individual packaging of waste minimizes direct contact, reducing the risk of contamination and infection. Additionally, users can operate the system independently, sealing waste at the push of a button—ensuring discretion and preserving personal dignity. Furthermore, the advanced sealing mechanism effectively contains odors, maintaining a clean and comfortable environment.
Medtrade Monday: What is the “origin story” of the product and the company?
Oostdyk: In 2000, the founder, Mr. Hiroshi Nishida, faced challenges in caring for his mother-in-law, particularly regarding toilet use. At that time, the only available portable toilets required a bucket that needed to be cleaned after every use. The daily task of washing the bucket placed a significant burden on caregivers and compromised the dignity of those receiving care. Odor and hygiene were also major concerns.
Medtrade Monday: What is Nihon Safety’s core business?
Oostdyk: Nihon Safety’s core business is the sale and rental of temporary construction materials. The company invented the innovative temporary fence “AD FLAT,” which now holds a large market share in Japan. Mr. Nishida’s entrepreneurial spirit also extended to toilets. If a product didn’t exist in the market, then it was necessary to create one to meet the needs of users.
Medtrade Monday: When did Wrappon start to take shape?
Oostdyk: In 2002, he established the Wrappon Division, embarking on a “challenge to fulfill a dream.” After three years of development, the first automatic wrapping toilet, “Origin,” was completed in 2005 to meet the demands of the elderly care market. Wrappon has continued to evolve, and the current ORB model represents the sixth generation of this innovative toilet.
Medtrade Monday: What are your plans for the future?
Oostdyk: This year marks 20 years since the first Wrappon was launched. Today, automatic wrapping toilets have become widely recognized in the Japanese elderly care market, with high brand awareness. In the United States, we aim to introduce automatic wrapping toilets nationwide, offering a solution to reduce the daily burden of caregiving and create a more comfortable caregiving experience.
