BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (May 2, 2019)—The VGM Group, Inc., a member service organization for post-acute care and home medical equipment (HME) providers, has purchased United Publishers, which puts out the industry news monthly HME News. The purchase was completed April 1, VGM CFO Jim Nygren said in a written statement. The May 1 digital edition of HME News reflected the change, displaying the VGM logo in its masthead.
“The publications, conferences and special events will run independently—continuing UPI’s commitment to provide compelling business information for post-acute care and security professionals,” Nygren said, adding that HME News will continue to operate with “full editorial control.” HME News President and Publisher Rick Rector said that United Publishers’ owner, James “Brook” Taliaferro, was ready to retire and made the decision to sell to VGM; he and VGM declined to share the terms of the deal. Nygren said VGM was contacted because Taliaferro was considering selling to a publishing company unfamiliar with the DME (durable medical equipment) market and chose to purchase it rather than let that happen.
HME News plans to continue operations as usual at its current location in Yarmouth, Maine. VGM, which is based in Waterloo, Iowa, is providing some logistical support such as accounting system integration, but has stated it will stay out of the day-to-day editorial decisions, Rector said.
“All the people are staying; nothing changes,” he said. “There is no one from Iowa coming to oversee anything… it’s totally hands-off.”
United Publications, which puts out print and electronic editions of HME News, which reports 16,100 subscribers, and Security Systems News, which reports 24,100 subscribers, was formed in 1981, according to its website. Taliaferro officially incorporated it in 1988, according to records of the Maine Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions.
The VGM Group was founded in 1986 as a member services organization for HME business owners and has expanded into a range of industries, including insurance, golf and other recreational clubs, fulfillment and restaurant rebates. Jim Greatorex, vice president of VGM’s Live at Home division, is a member of HomeCare’s editorial advisory board.
