Pride, Quantum give manuals their due

EXETER, Pa. - Pride Mobility Products and Quantum Rehab hope to give some TLC to their line of manual wheelchairs through a new partnership with Comfort Company.

Comfort Company in May began selling Pride's and Quantum's manual wheelchairs nationwide.

“We've grown over the last several years into a manufacturer that mostly focuses on power wheelchairs, and one of the things we felt we needed to do is provide more support for our manual wheelchairs,” said Jay Brislin, vice president of Quantum Rehab. “We feel like the Comfort Company enhances our line with their expertise.”

The Bozeman, Mont.-based Comfort Company manufactures seating and positioning systems for everything from a folding manual wheelchair to a complex rehab wheelchair.

While sales reps for Comfort Company will be in the field talking up Pride's and Quantum's manual wheelchairs, the two companies will continue to process and facilitate orders, making the transition for providers and therapists seamless, Brislin says.

“We'll still be the main resource for our products,” he said.

For Comfort Company, the partnership means it can offer providers and therapists a “one-stop shop” for their wheelchair using patients, says Pete Kamman, director of marketing.

“With a whole package like this comes an ease in ordering,” he said. “They're busy people; they have a lot going on. We want to streamline everything for them.”

Manufacturer-to-manufacturer partnerships are nothing new for the companies. Pride and Quantum have partnerships with companies that make accessories like lap trays and alternative drive controls; Comfort Company has a partnership with a company that makes access ramps.

“This is one of the things that has helped us create a reputable company,” Brislin said.