“At BraunAbility, the heart of our business is improving independence and freedom for our customers—we change lives. This expansion enables us to deliver our life-changing innovations to even more people,” says Staci Kroon, president and CEO of BraunAbility. “This location strategy will foster greater collaboration, a necessity for shaping the future of mobility across the globe, while simultaneously maintaining our commitment to our legacy and Indiana roots.”
The Winamac campus expansion will enable increased production capacity to keep up with recent increases in demand. Investment in advanced manufacturing processes will allow Winamac operations a continued focus on operational excellence and customer and dealer support. The campus will remain an important destination for partners, dealers, customers, the board of directors and others.
“We are currently producing more WAVs (wheelchair accessible vehicles) and lifts than ever before in our history, and expanding our campus in Winamac will help us stay ahead of the curve,” says Greg Kiser, vice president of sales at BraunAbility. “We’re proud to be the largest employer in Pulaski County, and that will be true even with the expansion to Indianapolis. The excitement about business growth is matched by our excitement for continued investment in this community.”
Of the roles transitioning to the Indianapolis office, the majority are held by those already commuting to Winamac from outside the county, as far away as Indianapolis. Also, the planned growth will provide a need for more jobs locally to support Winamac operations.
The office in Indianapolis will focus on the company’s broader business enterprise and global support. This includes a focus on innovation and new product development, supporting the company’s dealer distribution channel and developing businesses in Europe.
The Indianapolis office is expected to open in March 2019. The majority of employees will be transitioned to their designated location within two years, and the overall transition is estimated to be completed within five years.
BraunAbility, which has more than 1,700 employees worldwide, is consulting with architect, Schott Design, and workplace research experts, Choreo, on the transition and redesigned office spaces in both Winamac and Indianapolis. Workspaces in both locations will be designed to improve collaboration and provide more flexibility for employees.
About BraunAbility
BraunAbility is the world's leading manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles and wheelchair lifts. Founded nearly 50 years ago by Ralph Braun, the company has grown into the most well-known and trusted name in the mobility industry, bringing independence to millions of individuals across the world. BraunAbility is a wholly owned subsidiary to Patricia Industries, a division of Investor AB Group. Visit www.braunability.com for more information.
