HDS VANS & MOBILITY becomes MobilityWorks

MobilityWorks Expands to Twenty Locations in Twelve States with the Acquisition of Handicapped Driver Services (HDS VANS & MOBILITY)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

North America’s largest mobility van provider adds southeast showroom locations displaying wheelchair vans in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee

AKRON, OH (PRWEB) Feb 22, 2012 – Less than a month after acquiring the assets of Monmouth Vans Access & Mobility in New Jersey, MobilityWorks announced that has acquired Handicapped Driver Services of Marietta, GA (aka HDS VANS & MOBILITY). HDS has five showrooms located in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee with approximately 40 employees. MobilityWorks is the largest provider of wheelchair vans in North America, now with 20 showroom locations in 12 states and a commercial van division. Historically, they have grown the sales volume on acquisitions by over 50%, largely in part due to an emphasis on marketing and in working with market influencers. MobilityWorks represents minivan conversion manufacturers BraunAbility and Vantage Mobility International (VMI) and are their largest resellers in bringing mobility solutions to the disabled community. MobilityWorks has been instrumental in fostering dealership agreements with a clear commitment from the dealer and from the manufacturers. This has improved the industry by allowing partnerships to thrive and serve consumers with the best options available. In addition to new and pre-owned accessible minivans for sale, all of the MobilityWorks store locations offer handicap vans for rent, mechanical service, scooter lifts, wheelchair lifts, hand controls and financing.  HDS was started in 1976 by Jim Craig, a military veteran who wanted to help disabled vets with their modified vehicle needs. At the time, Mr. Craig was training drivers with disabilities to supplement his income. HDS is considered to be an early forerunner of today’s adaptive vehicle dealership, with many different conversion options, certified mobility consultants and local service. Starting with a small building in Atlanta, HDS quickly expanded to other cities and eventually moved its headquarters north to Marietta. Current owner Michael Dresdner took over the reins from Mr. Craig in 1991 and will continue to be a special advisor and consultant with MobilityWorks. He emphasized that determining what equipment will work the best for the client’s physical needs and lifestyle is the most important thing they do.  “Our companies are very similar in how they serve the client and in our core principles” said Michael Dresdner.  “We share the same goal, which is to get things right for the client every time.”  Also staying on through the transition is Scott Sorenson, HDS Chief Operating Officer. He will continue to oversee operations of the five HDS store locations, reporting to Eric Mansfield, VP of Store Operations at the MobilityWorks headquarters in Akron, Ohio.  “Michael Dresdner and Scott Sorenson have been real leaders in our industry and they will continue to be strong advocates for people with disabilities in working with us” said Bill Koeblitz, President/CEO of MobilityWorks. “We’re excited to have them on board.”  The company’s new southeast locations will also help to facilitate the service of its commercial van customers who mostly operate Ford E-Series full-size vans.  MobilityWorks and HDS service center technicians are certified through the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) to install and maintain the most sophisticated equipment and high-tech driving systems available. Combined, they have installed more electronic driving controls than any other adaptive equipment dealer in the world.

About MobilityWorks
The Akron-based Inc 500 company is the largest adaptive vehicle dealer in the United States and now employs more than 300 full-time employees throughout the country. Showroom and service centers are located in AL, CA, FL, GA, IL, MI, NJ, NY, PA, OH, TN and WI. The MobilityWorks Commercial Division is Ford Motor Company’s largest mobility upfitter in the commercial van industry manufacturing non-emergency transportation vehicles. The MobilityWorks Commercial division provides the entire U.S. market with custom fleet vehicles such as ambulette vans, shuttle transports and accessible taxis. They are members of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) and Accessible Vans of America (AVA), a national rental organization of mobility van dealers. For additional information about MobilityWorks, go to
http://www.mobilityworks.com.

About HDS VANS & MOBILITY Handicapped Driver Services
Formed in 1976, Handicapped Driver Services (HDS VANS & MOBILITY) was one of the first mobility dealers in the country to offer wheelchair vans for rent.  HDS offers sales and service of all major lines of adaptive equipment and wheelchair accessible minivans. Their wheelchair van showrooms are located in Birmingham AL, Chattanooga, TN, Jacksonville FL, Marietta GA, and Nashville TN. Certified mobility consultants are on hand at each location to assist with vehicle and equipment selection. HDS is also a member of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA). For additional information about HDS VANS & MOBILITY, go to http://www.hdsvans.com.
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MOBILITYWORKS MEDIA CONTACT: Guy A. Hanford | Director of Marketing | MobilityWorks
Ph. 330-633-1118 | ghanford@mobilityworks.com