Darco provides foot and ankle products to various markets, including podiatrists. This includes post-operative shoes, walking boots, products designed to help patients suffering from plantar fasciitis, wound care offloading products, and ankle bracing products.

   Darco headquarters are here in Huntington, WV.

   Darco’s products provide a healing platform for patients as they adjust from the acute phase to rehab, and finally back to their normal footwear. 

FOUNDER STORY

   The provider has been serving the podiatric community since 1985! Darco was founded by a podiatrist by the name of Darrel Darby, DPM. Dr. Darby was a graduate of the Ohio School of Podiatric Medicine. He was president of APMA in 1976.

   Dr. Darby created the first modern-day post-op shoe after seeing many patients being given various kinds of shoes to use when recovering from surgery or foot trauma. He listened to patients’ complaints about being uncomfortable. Like many small business owners, he started the company out of his home garage. Darco’s first run of the shoe was successful. His efforts eventually led to Darco becoming the largest manufacturer and distributor of foot and ankle products in the world! 

   Dr. Darby’s solutions have a reputation for innovation and high quality. This has led the company to expansions that include an international presence. International locations include Suffolk, UK, Raisting, Germany, Shang Hai, China, and Darwad, India.                                  

PHILANTHROPY

Dr. Darby was a big advocate for podiatric education and as such, Darco has donated over $500,000 to the podiatry schools for scholarships!

DOING BUSINESS DURING THE PANDEMIC

   Podiatrists interested in learning more can contact us by phone or email. We often set up a Zoom session to help podiatrists learn about our products and answer any questions they may have. We also can provide product training for the application and use of our products via Zoom. 

   All companies have been impacted by COVID-19. Representatives from Darco are not able to attend as many professional conferences. The in-person interactions with clinicians or our distributors have been replaced with virtual sessions held via conference calls or Zoom sessions. 

   The transportation issues experienced at many United States ports have delayed product shipments resulting in a lean inventory at times. The increased transportation and raw material costs have impacted our business resulting in us raising prices to keep up with the increased costs.

    Darco accepts direct calls from patients regularly that need advice on what shoe to use for recovery or what size product to get. Most patients are not familiar with these types of products. The employees take pride in servicing the customers explaining the ins and outs so that the patient is satisfied.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE

   There have been instances in which a patient may be facing financial hardship and Darco has sent products at no charge just to do good and it has resulted in a positive experience for both the patient and the employee.