ThyssenKrupp Access Acquires National Wheel-O-Vator

North America's largest manufacturer of home elevators and accessibility equipment has purchased the third largest manufacturer.

This move solidly positions the new entity as the largest and most comprehensive manufacturer of home elevators and accessibility equipment in North America.

Grandview, MO (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 -- ThyssenKrupp Access, a leading manufacturer of home elevators and accessibility equipment, has acquired The National Wheel-O-Vator Company of Roanoke, Illinois.

"Combining the forces of ThyssenKrupp Access and National Wheel-O-Vator will give builders and consumers more choices to meet their accessibility and home elevation needs," said Thomas Hance, President, ThyssenKrupp Access. "This move solidly positions the new entity as the largest and most comprehensive manufacturer of home elevators and accessibility equipment in North America."

National Wheel-O-Vator, a privately owned company founded in 1982, generated in 2007 sales of US$ 42 million with currently 170 employees. The company has been manufacturing and selling residential elevators, wheelchair lifts and Limited Use/Limited Application (LU/LA) elevators though a network of independent dealers throughout the United States. Greg Harmon, co-owner and CEO of National Wheel-O-Vator, said: "This transaction fulfills our family's vision of being a major player in the worldwide accessibility market."

ThyssenKrupp Access, headquartered in Grandview, Missouri, has been one of the world's leading accessibility equipment and home elevator manufacturers since 1947, with approximately 290 employees. Equipment manufactured at its Grandview plant includes stair lifts, wheelchair lifts and elevators for residential and commercial use. ThyssenKrupp Access has more than 1,000 dealers along with 19 company owned and operated field sales offices in the USA. For more information about ThyssenKrupp Access, visit the company's web site at www.tkaccess.com.

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