PODIATRIST Tyson Franklin is expecting a bumper 2013 after experiencing the best 12 months in the past four years.

He believes in re-investing in the 20-year-old business, with a $730,000-plus expansion earlier this year.

"At this stage I would say we've improved about 15 per cent since the move in both the podiatry and footwear side of things (in January)," Mr Franklin said.

Proarch Podiatry and Walk Right Footwear at Earlville were established in 1992 in a small room at the Toogood Rd Medical Centre as a one-band man.

Today it has two podiatrists (another one starting in February), one podiatry assistant, two full-time and one casual receptionists and two salespeople.

"Over the past 20 years I have moved the clinic a few times and most recently I relocated Proarch to a new purpose-built premises in January this year, combining both the podiatry clinic and Walk Right Footwear together as they were previously in different locations," Mr Franklin said.

He said the premises covered 210sq m, "a far cry" from a 3m by 3m room.

"This move has made us by far the largest podiatry clinic/shoe store in Cairns  if not north Queensland  and, along the way, we have introduced new equipment, such as shock wave therapy, lasers for treating fungal nails and have also introduced one of the best running shoes on the market, Newton Footwear," Mr Franklin said.

He said Newton Footwear were unique and the Australian distributors only allowed them to be sold in specialised locations so that the footwear could be fitted correctly and proper wear-in advice given.

"We are also the only podiatry clinic that has its own computerised scanning/video facilities and a CADCAM milling machine onsite," Mr Franklin said.

He said the clinic designed, made and fitted orthotics (arch supports) within 24 hours.

"We can do it the same day if the appointments are pre-arranged," Mr Franklin said.

"Proarch Podiatry has basically become a unique full-service clinic.

"I've always re-invested our profits back into my clinic to purchase new equipment."

Mr Franklin said the new premises cost $490,000  $240,000 for the fit-out, plus equipment.

"The Smithfield clinic, which was set up about five years ago is good, but the clinic at Earlville is the jewel in the crown," he said.

"Since we bought our premises it's well worth it long term.

"The last 12 months have been our best 12 month period for the past four years. 2012 has been a great year and, with the introduction of new services, 2013 will be even better.

"Cairns is only going to go up because the last four to five years have been pretty low, but if 2012 is any indication, 2013 will be good."

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