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Silent Call prepares to expand overseas | detnews.com | The Detroit News
George Elwell's products have sailed the Seven Seas.
"We keep about six or seven on every vessel," said Ralph Denis, director of hotel services for Carnival Cruise Lines. "They work great."
Elwell's devices also have been used at the Palace of Auburn Hills and local McDonald's outlets to connect supervisors with employers.
"We have used his company's products for almost 20 years now," said Cindy Caldwell, a deaf-blind specialist for the Michigan Commission for the Blind.
Elwell founded Silent Call Communication in 1987 to serve hearing-impaired and deaf people and now offers 35 products that include clocks, monitors, smoke detectors, fire alarms, transmitters, receivers and telephone signalers.
"We have the most advanced technology for the deaf, deaf-blind and hard-of-hearing community," said Elwell about his family-run business.
Silent Call sells its products to individuals, government and social service agencies, hoteliers and others through distributors and its Web site. The newest product, the Sidekick II Signature Series receiver, monitors doorbells, telephones, smoke detectors and other devices equipped with a transmitter and alerts people with a flashing light, vibration or icon on its display. The $239.95 version includes a battery backup and a range of 2,000 feet.
Early next year, Elwell plans to introduce a watch with a wake-up alarm and display that shows the symbol for every transmitter within 300 feet that sends a signal, so the wearer can know if it's the doorbell or smoke detector that needs attention. The watch will allow people to walk around the house or head outside and still remain connected.
Ten employees manufacture and market Silent Call products and Elwell said most of his devices are made locally.
With estimates that up to 10 percent of a country's population are deaf or hard-of-hearing, Elwell sees an opportunity to expand his market beyond the United States and Canada.
"For 2009, my top goal is to get these products overseas," he said. "Every nation has deaf or hard-of-hearing people. Exporting is something I've always wanted to do."
In addition, Elwell would like to make his factory and two robots available to people who need to produce prototypes or low-volume products.
Silent Call business was up 42 percent last year and the firm generates several million dollars in annual sales, Elwell said.
"We are probably the most expensive product in this market, but we are the best," he said. "I refuse to build cheap products. I want to make something that when people buy it, they know they can have it for a long time and not have to replace it."
George Elwell's products have sailed the Seven Seas.
"We keep about six or seven on every vessel," said Ralph Denis, director of hotel services for Carnival Cruise Lines. "They work great."
Elwell's devices also have been used at the Palace of Auburn Hills and local McDonald's outlets to connect supervisors with employers.
"We have used his company's products for almost 20 years now," said Cindy Caldwell, a deaf-blind specialist for the Michigan Commission for the Blind.
Elwell founded Silent Call Communication in 1987 to serve hearing-impaired and deaf people and now offers 35 products that include clocks, monitors, smoke detectors, fire alarms, transmitters, receivers and telephone signalers.
"We have the most advanced technology for the deaf, deaf-blind and hard-of-hearing community," said Elwell about his family-run business.
Silent Call sells its products to individuals, government and social service agencies, hoteliers and others through distributors and its Web site. The newest product, the Sidekick II Signature Series receiver, monitors doorbells, telephones, smoke detectors and other devices equipped with a transmitter and alerts people with a flashing light, vibration or icon on its display. The $239.95 version includes a battery backup and a range of 2,000 feet.
Early next year, Elwell plans to introduce a watch with a wake-up alarm and display that shows the symbol for every transmitter within 300 feet that sends a signal, so the wearer can know if it's the doorbell or smoke detector that needs attention. The watch will allow people to walk around the house or head outside and still remain connected.
Ten employees manufacture and market Silent Call products and Elwell said most of his devices are made locally.
With estimates that up to 10 percent of a country's population are deaf or hard-of-hearing, Elwell sees an opportunity to expand his market beyond the United States and Canada.
"For 2009, my top goal is to get these products overseas," he said. "Every nation has deaf or hard-of-hearing people. Exporting is something I've always wanted to do."
In addition, Elwell would like to make his factory and two robots available to people who need to produce prototypes or low-volume products.
Silent Call business was up 42 percent last year and the firm generates several million dollars in annual sales, Elwell said.
"We are probably the most expensive product in this market, but we are the best," he said. "I refuse to build cheap products. I want to make something that when people buy it, they know they can have it for a long time and not have to replace it."