Hoveround
Encyclopedia
Hoveround is an American
corporation
which manufactures and distributes the Hoveround brand of power wheelchair
s and sells a line of scooters
. The company, founded in 1992 by Tom Kruse, is based in Sarasota, Florida
. Its battery-operated products are primarily designed to assist mobility challenged individuals in getting around inside their homes and to facilitate mobility-related activities of daily living (MRADLs).
Hoveround sells directly to consumers and, unlike other suppliers in the home medical equipment and durable medical equipment industry, Hoveround employees manufacture, customize, deliver, and service all the power wheelchairs it provides.
Relying mostly on direct response television
and direct mail marketing, and its 'go go go in my Hoveround' advertising slogan, Hoveround is a widely recognized brand in the United States
.
Hoveround employs more than 500 employees, with service locations covering 45 US states as of 2011. Annual revenue reached $100 million in 2005.
In 2005 the company began opening retail locations in Wal-Mart
stores. This venture did not continue for long and Hoveround returned to selling direct to the user via its own manufacturing and personalized distribution channels.
On June 28, 1994, Hoveround began selling direct to the customer.
In 2010, Hoveround expanded its personal mobility equipment offerings to include what it called theHOVERLIFT suite. These products, which are not covered by Medicare, include a new line of personal lifts (bathlift, car/vehicle lift, stair chairlift).
In early 2011, the company completely redesigned its corporate website and implemented content management strategies
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
corporation
Corporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
which manufactures and distributes the Hoveround brand of power wheelchair
Wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
s and sells a line of scooters
Mobility scooter
A mobility scooter is a mobility aid equivalent to a wheelchair but configured like a motorscooter. It is often referred to as a power-operated vehicle/scooter or electric scooter as well.-Description:...
. The company, founded in 1992 by Tom Kruse, is based in Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
. Its battery-operated products are primarily designed to assist mobility challenged individuals in getting around inside their homes and to facilitate mobility-related activities of daily living (MRADLs).
Hoveround sells directly to consumers and, unlike other suppliers in the home medical equipment and durable medical equipment industry, Hoveround employees manufacture, customize, deliver, and service all the power wheelchairs it provides.
Relying mostly on direct response television
Direct response television
Direct Response Television, or DRTV for short, includes any television advertising that asks consumers to respond directly to the company --- usually either by calling an 800 number or by visiting a web site. This is a form of direct response marketing....
and direct mail marketing, and its 'go go go in my Hoveround' advertising slogan, Hoveround is a widely recognized brand in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Hoveround employs more than 500 employees, with service locations covering 45 US states as of 2011. Annual revenue reached $100 million in 2005.
In 2005 the company began opening retail locations in Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
stores. This venture did not continue for long and Hoveround returned to selling direct to the user via its own manufacturing and personalized distribution channels.
Background
According to the Hoveround Story as illustrated on the company's website, Tom Kruse invented the Hoveround power wheelchair and founded the company in April of 1992 with his two brothers, George and Robert. The first model of Hoveround’s electric powered mobility chairs, the Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), was introduced in 1993. The MPV was capable of functioning outdoors as well as in the home, and with the patented Round for a Reason designed frame, its turning radius was smaller than other power chairs on the market. Compact size, custom-fit and ultra-maneuverability are some claims Hoveround makes for its products.On June 28, 1994, Hoveround began selling direct to the customer.
Mobility Power Wheelchairs
Hoveround offers six models of power chairs, as well as motorized scooters. Each power chair can be customized for the individual user. The electric wheelchair models available as of 2011 include:- MPV5 Power Chair
- Teknique FWD
- Teknique RWD
- Teknique GT
- Teknique XHD ( a bariatric front-wheel drive model with a 450 pound weight capacity)
- Teknique HD-6 ( bariatric strength and a 600 pound weight capacity)
In 2010, Hoveround expanded its personal mobility equipment offerings to include what it called theHOVERLIFT suite. These products, which are not covered by Medicare, include a new line of personal lifts (bathlift, car/vehicle lift, stair chairlift).
Certifications and Associations
Hoveround became a recognized FDA registered manufacturer in 1994 and received an ISO 9001 certification in 1997. It is also an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau with a persistent A+ rating. Other Hoveround certifications, affiliations and memberships http://www.hoveround.com/about-hoveround/certifications-and-associations include:- AAH - American Association of Homecare
- AFEUC - Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use Commendation
- ATP / ATS - Assistive Technology Practitioner and Assistive Technology Supplier Certifications
- CMSA - Case Managers Society of America
- ISO - International Standard Organization
- JCAHO - The Joint Commission - formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
- RESNA - Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America
Notable Events
In 2010, Hoveround embarked on a marketing strategy to incorporate a wheelchair side tote bag and a beverage holder as standard features on all newly delivered Hoverounds. Citing "only Hoveround provides this mobility advantage to every new power wheelchair owner ", the company re-focused much of its direct response advertising to highlight this sales tactic as unique in the power mobility device industry.In early 2011, the company completely redesigned its corporate website and implemented content management strategies
Content management
Content management, or CM, is the set of processes and technologies that support the collection, managing, and publishing of information in any form or medium. In recent times this information is typically referred to as content or, to be precise, digital content...
.
External links
- Hoveround Power Wheelchairs
- Hoveround Channel on You Tube
- Hoveround Launches New Mission Critical Website on the iAPPS Product Suite Press Release, retrieved September 11, 2011