BraunAbility becomes the sole owner of Autoadapt
BraunAbility, the U.S. market leader in wheelchair accessible vehicles and wheelchair lifts, has acquired the remaining shares of European mobility manufacturer Autoadapt AB.
"BraunAbility's mission is to make life a moving experience for all," said BraunAbility CEO Staci Kroon. "That means we need to look for partners in every continent who deliver quality products consistently and share the values we hold so dear. Autoadapt will help us change more lives, develop innovative products and expand our global reach.”
BraunAbility previously owned 47.5 percent of Autoadapt from a 2011 purchase. Since that time, Autoadapt has been the sole distributor of BraunAbility lifts in Europe. BraunAbility is owned by Patricia Industries, a part of Investor AB, the leading owner of Nordic-based international companies, founded by the Wallenberg family more than 100 years ago.
Autoadapt will join BraunAbility as part of a roster of high-quality, high-growth companies in the Patricia Industries portfolio, including Permobil, the innovative provider of powered and manual wheelchairs for people with severe functional disabilities.
"There's nothing I'm more proud of than how far we've managed to come with Autoadapt,” said Autoadapt founder Peter Wahlsten. "Together with our employees and dealers we've brought vehicle adaptation to the masses, including to countries where people with disabilities previously weren't allowed to drive.”
Wahlsten continued, "Looking forward, I believe this step will go down in Autoadapt's history as a major turning point. As an owner, BraunAbility brings both strength and experience that will facilitate growth and improve clarity in Autoadapt's continued direction. But most important for me and all my colleagues at Autoadapt, we have an owner who shares our values."