How Did Midmark Impact the Sterilization Industry?
Midmark is a company know around the world for making its name in sterilization technology for over 50 years. They’ve innovated and evolved to stand with the best of them, and their autoclaves are second to none. With unique designs and consistently improving technology, Midmark has become more and more integrated with the modern medical industry with each passing year. But the question stands: where did they get their start?
So in this article, we’d like to take a look at Midmark ‘s story, from past to present. We’ll look at their timeline and see where they came from and where they are now. As well as looking at some of their various offerings in sterilization technology.
How Did Midmark Get Its Start?
The company’s story began in 1915 in Minster, Ohio, as the Cummings Machine Company. In its infancy, the business was focused on the heavy-duty infrastructure of early 20th-century America, producing concrete mixers based on the patents of its first president, E.C. Cummings. The trajectory of the company changed forever in the 1920s; after acquiring the Reeves Pulley Company in 1920 to manufacture gasoline-powered locomotives, John W. Eiting joined the board in 1921.
By 1925, Eiting assumed the presidency, and the business was renamed the Industrial Equipment Company. For decades, they were a versatile contract manufacturer and the silent engine behind a diverse array of products, ranging from foundry equipment and custom metal fabrications to highway tollbooths. This period established the company’s reputation for rugged engineering and high-quality fabrication, providing the mechanical expertise that would eventually underpin their medical innovations.
How Did Midmark Pivot to Healthcare?
By the mid-1960s, the company had reached its 50th anniversary with over 125 employees, but leadership recognized that a contract-driven business model left them vulnerable to market volatility. In 1967, James A. Eiting identified the need to exploit their manufacturing capabilities in a specific, stable market. This led to the pivotal purchase of blueprints and products from the bankrupt American Metal Furniture Company, marking Midmark s entrance into the medical market.
Seeking a community with a strong work ethic to support this new direction, Jim Eiting moved the medical division to Versailles, Ohio, in 1969. The company briefly operated as IE Industries before officially rebranding as Midmark Corporation in 1978. A defining moment of this era occurred in 1986 with the acquisition of Ritter, a major competitor whose legacy helped Midmark dominate the exam room furniture market just in time for the company’s 75th anniversary.
How Did Midmark Expand in the Present?
As the 21st century approached, Midmark diversified its portfolio to become an indispensable partner across all clinical environments. In 1997, the acquisition of Knight Manufacturing marked an aggressive entry into the dental market, followed shortly by a specialized push into animal health. This “three-pillar” approach allowed the company to harmonize space, technology, and workflows across different disciplines.
Under the leadership of Dr. Anne Eiting Klamar, the fourth generation of the Eiting family, Midmark transformed from a hardware manufacturer into an international technology provider, establishing offices in France, India, Italy, and the UK.
What Does Midmark Look Like Today?
Today, Midmark identifies as a “clinical environmental design company” with over 2,200 teammates worldwide. Their current philosophy, “Designing better care,” extends beyond equipment to include digital diagnostic devices and Real-Time Locating System (RTLS) technology.
This evolution is supported by a unique corporate culture that includes Riverwatch, a resort-style lodge opened in 1989 to host customers, and a deep commitment to philanthropy and STEM education. Now led by President and CEO Jon Wells, the company continues to focus on the “point of care,” ensuring that the interaction between patient and caregiver is as efficient and effective as possible.
What Does Midmark Offer?
Midmark has had their name throughout history for over 50 years. That’s half a century’s worth of innovation and evolution to keep up with an ever-competitive market. Their steam sterilizers have been a staple in the industry for years. From their manual units to the evolution of automatic autoclaves, they’ve got quite a few things to offer.
What is the Midmark M7?
The Midmark M7 is one of Midmark’s classic autoclaves. This steam sterilizer harkens back to the period where autoclaves required some elbow grease to get started. It’s a
classic, manual run autoclave. Meaning the cycle parameters, door lock, and drying process are all manually regulated by the user. While autoclaves these days have become more automized in their processing, the Midmark M7 still holds up to this day.
It’s durable construction and lack of electronic components make it a long-lasting unit. Given of course, proper preventative maintenance is performed. This Class S tabletop sterilizer sports a chamber size of 7.5” x 15”, and exterior dimensions of 14” W x 13” H x 19” D. It’s got quite the compact footprint for a manual autoclave, even if it might not look like it. Which means it can operate non-intrusively anywhere in your practice.
The Midmark M7also sports a few other features and benefits, like:
- The M7 autoclave has a safety door, which automatically seals when pressurized and will not allow the operator to open the door until the chamber is safely depressurized.
- The temperature regulator allows the operator to preset the temperature at a desired setting between 250° F (121°C) and 270°F (132°C). This control, acting as a thermostat, cycles the heating element on and off.
- The temperature gauge indicates the temperature inside the chamber, graduated in 2-degree increments.
- The unit comes with a low-water cut-out switch, which prevents “dry burning”. The M7 will only operate when there is enough water present, which prolongs the life of the heating element. A pilot light is on when the heater is on, and cycles on and off during normal operation.
- A cycle timer regulates sterilization time from 0 to 30 minutes and automatically turns the M7 off when the sterilization cycle is complete. This prevents over-sterilization thus extending the service life of your instruments.
You can find more info on the Midmark M7 steam sterilizer on our site here.
What is the Midmark M3?
In case you didn’t know before, Midmark tried their hand with their own take on the cassette autoclave… with their Midmark M3 steam sterilizer. The Midmark M3 is a compact, high-speed steam sterilizer designed for a non-intrusive and fast sterilization option. The M3 is the simple, intelligent and fast choice for efficient instrument processing. For a compact autoclave, it sports dimensions of 22″ x 17.8” x 6.9”. And it has a chamber that sits at 12.1″ L x 7.6” W x 1.6” H. It’s designed to be easy to use with a one-step loading operation, push-button cycle selection, and automatic door. Most importantly, your instruments are dry and ready to use at the end of every complete cycle. And, the Midmark M3 can sterilize unwrapped instruments in six minutes and pouched instruments in just over 10. All with the touch of a button! The M3 also comes standard with Midmark’s staple durability and reliability.
Here are some of the other features and benefits you can expect with the Midmark M3:
- Door Tray: Simple, one-step tray operation. Lightweight, durable stainless steel. Ergonomically designed handle for balance and comfort.
- Top Fill: Convenient access to water reservoir. Water level sensor provides intelligent system monitoring and feedback.
- Drain Access Panel: Front reservoir drain with on-board drain tube storage is practical and time saving.
- Quick Reference Guide and CD: On-board user instructions and interactive training CD provide handy, instant information.
- Condensate Tank: Traps and contains expelled steam. Quick release lid, convenient carrying handle, and water level sensor for efficient, worry-free use.
- Fast and easy to use for efficient instrument processing.
You can find more info on the Midmark M3 compact sterilizer on our site here.
What are the 5th Generation M9 and M11?
The 5th Generation Midmark M9-05X and M11-05X autoclaves are the benchmark for reliable, fully automatic steam sterilization. These autoclaves are the improved versions of the original New Style M9 and M11 autoclaves. With upgrades and quality of life improvements to the internal technology and navigation interface, these steam sterilizers are incredible examples of what the modern autoclave can really be.
The primary difference between the two is capacity: the M9-05X is the “standard” size with a 9″ x 15″ chamber, while the M11-05X is the “large” capacity option, sporting an 11″ x 18″ chamber—the largest of any standard tabletop sterilizer on the market. These units are designed to optimize professional workflows by automating the most critical steps of the sterilization process. With a modern, intuitive interface and a patented automatic-opening door, they ensure that instruments are not only sterile but also properly dried without constant technician supervision. Their reputation for longevity makes them a staple in dental, medical, and veterinary practices worldwide.
Here are some of the other benefits and features you get with the Midmark M9 and M11 5th Generation units:
- Intuitive User Interface
- Navigate cycle setup and other processes with a clear, fingerprint-resistant 5-inch touchscreen you can utilize while wearing gloves. Choose a style—light or dark.
- Streamlined Compliance Recordkeeping
- Stay audit-ready with device reminders and notifications, user authentication, unlimited storage of routine care events for the life of the sterilizer, and automated cycle recordkeeping.
You can find more info on the Midmark M9-05X on our site here.
You can find more info on the Midmark M11-05X on our site here.
Final Thoughts
From concrete mixers in 1915 to the sophisticated, touchscreen-driven autoclaves of today, Midmark’s journey is a testament to the power of purposeful evolution. By consistently pivoting to meet the needs of the healthcare community, they have transformed from a regional manufacturer into a global leader in clinical design. Whether you rely on their old style designs, or opt for a modern approach, choosing a Midmark sterilizer means investing in a history of engineering excellence. As they continue to innovate at the point of care, one thing remains certain… Midmark’s legacy is built on the reliability of their past and a clear vision for the future of patient safety.
While we went over just a few offerings… If you’d like to see our FULL collection of Midmark products, you can find our selection on our site here. For questions about any and all things Midmark, or anything else, give us a call at 704-966-1650, and we’ll help you find what you need.
As always if you have any questions about this process or anything else please feel free to contact us and take advantage of our “FREE TECH SUPPORT.”
We also offer FREE VIRTUAL TECH SUPPORT to “See and Talk” with a “Real Time Live Technician” for any problems you may be in need of help with.
You can also use our “FREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM”. Take the guesswork and worrying about what unit is due for maintenance and which maintenance cycle it is time for. We will keep track of all your autoclaves and let you know when it’s time for anything.