BRAUNABILITY
Since its inception in 1973 , BraunAbility ( formerly known as The Braun Corporation ) has produced innovative , highquality products in the wheelchair accessible vehicle and lift markets , allowing customers to retain their independence .
Its products include personal use vehicles , as well as wheelchair lifts found in mass transit vehicles , such as buses , taxis and more . “ We are expanding our production capabilities to meet the volume and all the things associated with that , from facility changes to manpower , acquiring skillsets we haven ’ t had , but are now required . It has been a crazy pace for growth ,” comments Ken Morgel , Director of Purchasing and Supply Chain at BraunAbility .
The company has thrived during several significant stages of growth . The invention of the lowered floor minivan secured its position within the automotive industry . Then the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 opened up brand-new markets by etching accessibility into the law . Now , today ’ s customers increasingly demand independence , seeking to maintain their quality of life , accessibility and mobility .
The company ’ s Indiana location is ideal , drawing on southeastern Michigan , Chicago , northern Indiana and Ohio , where numerous automotive plants are also situated .
“ We are actually able to leverage off a lot of other manufacturing that ’ s going on in this area and obtain highquality parts on time ,” states Morgel . “ We share many suppliers with both Original Equipment Manufacturers ( OEMs ) and the RV industry .”
Until six years ago , BraunAbility ’ s supply chain remained relatively
“ We can stratify our suppliers by spend and / or by part within that supplier ”
– Ken Morgel , Director , Purchasing & Supply Chain , BraunAbility
108 January 2017