Hoveround is an American

corporation A corporation or body corporate is an individual or a group of people, such as an association or company, that has been authorized by the State (polity), state to act as a single entity (a legal entity recognized by private and public law as ...

that manufactures and distributes the Hoveround brand of power

wheelchair A wheelchair is a mobilized form of chair using two or more wheels, a footrest, and an armrest usually cushioned. It is used when walking is difficult or impossible to do due to illnesses, injury, disabilities, or age-related health conditio ...

s (also known as

motorized wheelchair A motorized wheelchair, powerchair, electric wheelchair, or electric-powered wheelchair (EPW) is a wheelchair that is propelled by means of an electric motor (usually using differential steering) rather than human power, manual power. Motorized ...

s) and sells scooters, lifts, ramps and power chair accessories. The company, founded in 1992 by former nurse and inventor Tom Kruse, is based in

Sarasota, Florida Sarasota () is a city in and the county seat of Sarasota County, Florida, United States. It is located in Southwest Florida, the southern end of the Tampa Bay area, and north of Fort Myers, Florida, Fort Myers and Punta Gorda, Florida, Punta Gord ...

. 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 relies primarily on television, mail and their website for sales efforts. In 2012, the company celebrated its 20th anniversary and had more than 500 employees. In early 2014, Hoveround laid off 20 or more workers at its Sarasota County headquarters offices. The worker reduction brought the total number of employees in the region within a range of only 290 to 295. According to spokespeople, competitive bidding at Medicare and the need for the company to trim payroll prompted the lay offs of staffers from throughout the organization. In late 2015, the

Office of the Inspector General In the United States, Office of Inspector General (OIG) is a generic term for the oversight division of a List of federal agencies in the United States, federal or state agency aimed at preventing inefficient or unlawful operations within their p ...

called for Hoveround to return $27 million to the government for power mobility devices that it said did not meet Medicare reimbursement requirements.

Background

Inventor Thomas Kruse, along with his brothers George and Robert and his stepfather Gerald Ewing, founded Hoveround Corporation in April 1992. Built to increase the mobility of wheelchair users, the Hoveround prototype maximized ease-of-operation, comfort and durability. The name “Hoveround” is the brainchild of Tom Kruse. He blended the word “hover” (based on the hovering look of the wheelchair), with the

Beach Boys The Beach Boys are an American rock band formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine. Distinguished by thei ...

’ song “

I Get Around "I Get Around" is a song by American rock band the Beach Boys and the opening track from their 1964 album '' All Summer Long''. Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, the autobiographical lyrics describe the group's reaction to their newfound f ...

”. Kruse had been listening to the song on the radio while driving to a power chair promotional event and came up with the Hoveround name. On June 28, 1994, Hoveround began selling its power wheelchairs direct to the customer. Within 90 days, Hoveround was profitable. Hoveround achieved

FDA The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food ...

certification as a registered manufacturer in 1994, followed by ISO 9001 certification in 1997. In 1998, private holding company Jordan Industries purchased an 80% stake in Hoveround. The remaining stock remained with Kruse and his brothers.

Manufacturing

Hoveround custom assembles all of its power chairs at the company's manufacturing facilities in Southwest Florida.

Products

Hoveround sells power wheelchairs, motorized scooters, personal lifts, ramps and various power wheelchair accessories

Notes

References

Steering to high ground
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External links

Hoveround Power Wheelchairs
Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1992 Wheelchair manufacturers Companies based in Sarasota, Florida 1992 establishments in Florida Manufacturing companies based in Florida