The SCOOTER Store
Encyclopedia
The SCOOTER Store is a privately held provider of power mobility products, including power chairs (or motorized wheelchair
) and mobility scooters and related products and accessories, based in New Braunfels, Texas
. The company serves 48 U.S. states.
The company's long-term vision is "To give every senior or disabled American the ability to live their entire life safely and confidently at home."
The SCOOTER Store launched its Gift of Mobility program in 2002 to help non-profit organizations provide mobility products to people in need. Over the past seven years, recipients of this program have included firefighters, members of the clergy, war veterans, high school students, and others in need.
In 2005, The SCOOTER Store filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) for wrongfully denied Medicare claims. The federal government countersued the company. After three years of ongoing litigation, The SCOOTER Store agreed to settle its dispute with the government in 2007, resulting in the company paying a $4 million settlement (out of more than $1 billion in claims filed by the company over 18 years).
In 2007, the company founded its Alliance Seating & Mobility (ASM) Division, which provides adult and pediatric manual and power wheel chairs for people with severe physical disabilities related to paralysis, cerebral palsy, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy and other conditions. ASM now serves complex rehab customers in more than 50 cities across the country.
By 2009, The SCOOTER Store had 129 locations across the United States, employed 2,368 people, and served more than 400,000 customers.
In September 2010, the company announced the creation of a new division focusing on Home Care equipment, accessories and related services to complement its traditional power mobility business. The Home Care division provides manual wheelchairs, walkers, patient lifts, nebulizers, hospital beds, support surfaces and accessories and oxygen equipment in select markets. Additional items will be added in the future.
In February, 2011, The SCOOTER Store announced a new strategic partnership with an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners for financing to fuel the company’s growth and potential acquisitions needed to serve the growing ranks of senior Americans.
FORTUNE magazine named The SCOOTER Store as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in 2004 (#58) and 2010 (#38). FORTUNE cited the company's celebrations, including quarterly theme rallies and birthday and anniversary recognition for all employee-owners.
The INC. 500 has named the company as one of "America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies" each year from 2000 to 2004. Five consecutive years of making the INC. 500 list earned The SCOOTER Store membership in the Inc. 500 Hall of Fame.
CEO, Founder and President of The SCOOTER Store Doug Harrison received the Ernst & Young
Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 Award in the other/healthcare category in Austin. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Harrison was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a gala event at the Hilton Downtown Austin in May 2009.
Motorized wheelchair
A motorized wheelchair, powerchair, electric wheelchair or electric-powered wheelchair is a wheelchair that is propelled by means of an electric motor rather than manual power...
) and mobility scooters and related products and accessories, based in New Braunfels, Texas
New Braunfels, Texas
New Braunfels is a city in Comal and Guadalupe counties in the U.S. state of Texas that is a principal city of the metropolitan area. Braunfels means "brown rock" in German; the city is named for Braunfels, in Germany. The city's population was 57,740 as of the 2010 census, up 58% from the 2000...
. The company serves 48 U.S. states.
The company's long-term vision is "To give every senior or disabled American the ability to live their entire life safely and confidently at home."
History
Doug and Susanna Harrison founded The SCOOTER Store in 1991 in New Braunfels, Texas. The company grew within Texas to include a Houston location in 1993, San Antonio and Austin locations in 1996, and twelve more national locations in the first quarter of 2000. The SCOOTER Store opened a new two-building headquarters in New Braunfels, Texas, in 2002.The SCOOTER Store launched its Gift of Mobility program in 2002 to help non-profit organizations provide mobility products to people in need. Over the past seven years, recipients of this program have included firefighters, members of the clergy, war veterans, high school students, and others in need.
In 2005, The SCOOTER Store filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) for wrongfully denied Medicare claims. The federal government countersued the company. After three years of ongoing litigation, The SCOOTER Store agreed to settle its dispute with the government in 2007, resulting in the company paying a $4 million settlement (out of more than $1 billion in claims filed by the company over 18 years).
In 2007, the company founded its Alliance Seating & Mobility (ASM) Division, which provides adult and pediatric manual and power wheel chairs for people with severe physical disabilities related to paralysis, cerebral palsy, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy and other conditions. ASM now serves complex rehab customers in more than 50 cities across the country.
By 2009, The SCOOTER Store had 129 locations across the United States, employed 2,368 people, and served more than 400,000 customers.
In September 2010, the company announced the creation of a new division focusing on Home Care equipment, accessories and related services to complement its traditional power mobility business. The Home Care division provides manual wheelchairs, walkers, patient lifts, nebulizers, hospital beds, support surfaces and accessories and oxygen equipment in select markets. Additional items will be added in the future.
In February, 2011, The SCOOTER Store announced a new strategic partnership with an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners for financing to fuel the company’s growth and potential acquisitions needed to serve the growing ranks of senior Americans.
Accreditation & awards
The SCOOTER Store is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) and certified by Senior Approved Services. The company is a three-time winner of the "Best Practices" award from Runzheimer International (2006, 2007 and 2008).FORTUNE magazine named The SCOOTER Store as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in 2004 (#58) and 2010 (#38). FORTUNE cited the company's celebrations, including quarterly theme rallies and birthday and anniversary recognition for all employee-owners.
The INC. 500 has named the company as one of "America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies" each year from 2000 to 2004. Five consecutive years of making the INC. 500 list earned The SCOOTER Store membership in the Inc. 500 Hall of Fame.
CEO, Founder and President of The SCOOTER Store Doug Harrison received the Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is one of the largest professional services networks in the world and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms, along with Deloitte, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers ....
Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 Award in the other/healthcare category in Austin. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Harrison was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a gala event at the Hilton Downtown Austin in May 2009.
Brands offered
The SCOOTER Store provides mobility products from the following manufacturers:- Drive Medical
- Essential Medical
- evRider
- Harmar Mobility
- Pride MobilityPride MobilityPride Mobility Products Corp. is the world's leader in the design and manufacture of mobility products, including power lift chairs and mobility scooters.-Product lines:...
- Uplift Technologies
- Zip'r Mobility