MobilityWorks consolidates accessible van market

AKRON, Ohio - MobilityWorks, a national chain of wheelchair accessible van providers, has entered into a merger agreement with Hasco Medical, significantly strengthening its presence on the East Coast.

MobilityWorks has 35 locations in 13 states, while Hasco has 22 locations in 11 states, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, as well as nine locations in Florida.

“MobilityWorks is currently the largest supplier in the United States of wheelchair accessible vehicles and Hasco is No. 2,” said Chris Paczak, vice president of marketing at MobilityWorks. “We joined forces to cover more of the United States and different markets, and to provide our service to people in need of our products.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Hasco will become a wholly owned subsidiary of MobilityWorks.

Hasco's locations in Florida are an especially big coup.

“Hasco covered parts of the country that we did not—New England all the way down to Florida,” said Paczak. “Florida is a very strong market for our products.”

Also acquired through the merger: Ride-Away, a wheelchair van and adaptive equipment provider. Hasco acquired the New Hampshire-based company in March, along with its 11 East Coast locations.

“As our customers travel to vacation areas, relocate or visit family they'll have a larger MobilityWorks/Hasco footprint for service and rental vehicles,” said Paczak, on the acquisition of Ride-Away.

The merger is expected to be finalized within 60 days, about the time it takes for the FTC to complete a business review.

Founded in 1997 and based in Akron, Ohio, MobilityWorks is an Inc. 500|5000 company with more than 460 employees nationwide. In April, the company acquired Miami, Fla.-based Sunset Mobility.