Q’Straint and Sure-Lok Announce Merger to Create the Leading Provider of Wheelchair Passenger Safety Solutions.
Ft Lauderdale (FL) and Bethlehem (PA), November 9, 2010 -- Q’Straint and Sure-Lok announced their merger today, creating a combined company that will be positioned as the leading provider of Wheelchair Passenger Safety Systems. The terms of the merger were not disclosed.
The merger of Q’Straint and Sure-Lok brings together the two leading wheelchair securement organizations serving the transportation industry. Both companies share a common vision and service model to provide the highest quality products and services for their customers. The combination of these two organizations will create a company well positioned for a challenging economy and increasingly competitive global industry.
Together, they bring more than 50 years of industry expertise and market knowledge. Customers and partners of Q’Straint and Sure-Lok will continue to experience the same personalized service they have come to expect from both companies, while gaining from their collective expertise and innovation. In addition, both product lines will continue to be sold and supported as they have been in the past.
Both organizations are committed to keeping their current focus, while thoughtfully integrating into one organization that will benefit its customers, employees and partners. The combined company of Q’Straint and Sure-Lok will look to continually improve and adopt the best practices from each organization in Safety, Customer Service, Innovation and Quality.
"In order to make this merger successful, it’s absolutely critical to us that we maintain a customer focus, and they experience the benefits of this merger.” said Jean-Marc Girardin. “We know actions speak louder than words, and look forward to the opportunity to prove ourselves!” added Robert Joseph.
In the near term, Jean-Marc Girardin will remain President of Q’Straint. Robert Joseph will remain President of Sure-Lok and will also assume the newly created role as VP Business Development for the combined organization. Other changes regarding the merger will be announced and updated at www.QSLMerger.com, the dedicated website that will feature merger-related information throughout the process.
About Q’Straint, ULC
Q’Straint was established in 1984 with a license from Queen’s University for the first integrated 4-point wheelchair passenger securement system. Since then they have brought new innovations and ideas to the industry, including the sled testing of wheelchair securement's and the first self-tensioning, self-locking automatic retractor. They currently sell in over 50 countries and are headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL with additional facilities serving Canada, Europe, Asia and Oceania.
About Sure-Lok
Sure-Lok has been under the leadership of Robert Joseph since 1998. Formerly a division of Kinedyne Corporation, Mr. Joseph separated the company into its own identity in order to better serve the needs of their customers and have since moved into a new dedicated facility in Bethlehem, PA. Sure-Lok’s achievements have set standards within the industry as they were the first to develop and manufacture L Track and A Track wheelchair securement systems and engineer an extensive line of occupant restraint systems.
The Braun Corporation Makes Investment in Viewpoint Mobility
Winamac, IN – The Braun Corporation is pleased to announce a substantial investment in Viewpoint Mobility LLC. Both companies are manufacturers of automotive mobility products for wheelchair and scooter users and are privately-held.
The Braun Corporation is well known for its line of lowered floor wheelchair van conversions, which are sold through a nationwide network of professional mobility dealers under the BraunAbility brand. Viewpoint Mobility is also known for its wheelchair accessible minivan called the Vision, but specializes in rear-entry conversions, whereas Braun has had a stronger focus on wheelchair vans with side-entry configurations.
“The addition of Vision conversions to our existing line of lowered floor vehicles provides a more complete line of lowered floor vans – specifically with more options in the low cost/low price point segment,” stated Tom Eastman, Braun Chief Financial Officer. “Overall for us this acquisition means a broader product line, increased production capacity, and opportunities to expand the commercial applications of our vehicles as well as our geographic reach. For mobility customers this acquisition means more options and greater affordability.”
According to Eastman, Viewpoint will continue to operate in its existing location in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The facility will be a subsidiary and will continue to sell Vision products through an existing network of Viewpoint Mobility dealers, as well as through the BraunAbility dealer network.
About The Braun Corporation
The Braun Corporation is a worldwide manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vans, ramps, and wheelchair lifts that enable persons with physical disabilities to regain mobility and lead active and independent lives. The company, via the BraunAbility brand, offers the most diverse model lineup in the industry, including the most popular minivan models from Dodge/Chrysler, Honda, and Toyota. For more information about the Braun Corporation, please visit www.braunability.com.
About Viewpoint Mobility
Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Viewpoint Mobility was founded in 1999 and is the manufacturer of The Vision, a rear-entry, lowered floor accessible vehicle available on Dodge/Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda and Toyota minivan. For more information about Viewpoint Mobility, please visit www.viewpointmobility.com.
Braun Leads Industry With Most Certified Wheelchair Vans
Posted by Megan on April 25th, 2011 in News / Announcements / Ability Voice Blog
We’ve always said we have the safest, most reliable wheelchair accessible vehicles on the road. Here’s some proof to back it up. Last week we announced the successful completion of safety testing for the soon-to-be-introduced 2011 Honda Odyssey Entervan and 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country Entervan. With these successful tests, BraunAbility now leads the mobility industry in safety with 37 validated vehicle platforms since 1991.
These new products join the 2011 Toyota Sienna Rampvan, which was introduced in 2010 following the completion of safety testing. The Sienna along with the Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, and Honda Odyssey are the most popular minivans in the industry. Braun is the only manufacturer to have completed safety testing and to offer all four vehicles.
“Safety has always been and always will be of utmost importance to us,” said Nick Gutwein, president of Braun. “Our vehicles go through extensive testing, covering both U.S. and Canadian Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), to ensure that our customers are driving a truly safe vehicle.”
BraunAbility uses only independent, third parties to objectively test our handicapped vans and then review and confirm accuracy of the test results.
“There are no compromises in the area of safety,” said Mike Pugh, director of vehicle engineering for Braun. “Our high engineering standards and strong focus on customer satisfaction consistently yield the best vehicles in the mobility industry.”
After the vehicles have passed safety testing, the National Mobility Equipment Dealer Association (NMEDA) publishes the test results online for consumers to review. Braun leads the mobility industry with five platforms receiving a “pass” rating in all FMVSS categories within the lowered-floor side-entry minivans category. The five platforms include the Dodge Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country Entervan, Dodge Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country Companionvan SE, Dodge Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country Entervan XT, Honda Odyssey Entervan, and Toyota Sienna Rampvan XT.
Braun’s commitment to safety includes future standards, as well. The 2011 Honda Odyssey was tested, and passed, using the 2016 requirement for side impact, FMVSS standard 214.
“The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration frequently updates its requirements to enhance safety for vehicle occupants,” said Gutwein. “It is our priority to ensure that all Braun vehicles are meeting both the current and upcoming future standards.”
Bottom line: we’re proud of our history of safety and reliability, and we’re not willing to cut corners when it comes to our customers’ well being.
Holy Honda! Check Out this Wheelchair Van
Posted by Megan on Wednesday, April 20th, 2011 / Braunability Voice Blog
This past weekend we unveiled the all-new 2011 Honda Odyssey Entervan at the Los Angeles Abilities Expo. The lucky attendees who stopped by the BraunAbility booth were the very first consumers to get a good look at this exceptional wheelchair van…and they loved it!
And what’s not to love? Just take a look at this preview photo and you’ll see what had them all talking. The new Honda conversion has some seriously sleek exterior lines - in fact, it’s easy to forget you’re even looking at a minivan.
Some of the most notable design improvements include a new flare design that seamlessly blends a convenient step with our sporty ground effects. We’re using a new 50/50 ramp design, which creates a more low-profile look in the interior and makes it easier to recline in the passenger position. And with the spare tire hidden underneath the van and easy-to-operate flip-and-fold seats, there’s plenty of rear cargo space and storage. Basically, Braun is taking the Honda handicap van to a completely new level.
The 2011 Hondas are in the final stages of production, and we expect a final launch early this summer. Keep checking AbilityVoice Blog and our Facebook page for updates. And when they’re out, take a look for yourself at your nearest BraunAbility dealership!
Pictures speak louder than words and numbers talk – put those two adages together, and you have an infographic, the nifty little visual representations of data that you see online and in newspapers from time to time.
You’re probably familiar with these illustrative chart hybrids from time-to-time. They’re perfect for giving an at-a-glance look at a trend or particular topic. We’d never seen an infographic on disabilities, so BraunAbility decided to create our own.
You can find our infographic at this link: Disability in America. What you’ll see is a closer look at who exactly the Americans with physical disabilities are – their age, their education, etc. As you’ll see, employment is a significant challenge for individuals with disabilities – only 20% of wheelchair and walker users are employed. On the flip side, we’ve improved transportation to get to work. In 1995 only 62% of buses were equipped with ramps compared to 98% in 2007.
The description “individuals with disabilities” is used so often in the general media and our industry…and BraunAbility wants to make sure the country knows who this phrase represents.
BraunAbility
It's back! Toyota is giving away vehicles again in 2012 through its 100 Cars for Good campaign. Nonprofits will have the opportunity to win a Toyota vehicle of their choice - including a Toyota Rampvan with a BraunAbility conversion. Carolina Canines was one of the nonprofits who received a Rampvan in 2011...you'll see them in this video! 100 Cars for Good YouTube video
Visit http://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota/ to learn more. Toyota | 2012 Toyota 100 Cars for Good
