The History of Pride Mobility Scooters
Pride Mobility Scooters is the world’s leading innovator and manufacturer of personal mobility products. Their lineup includes the iconic Jazzy® brand of power chairs, Go-Go® Travel Mobility, Pride® Scooters, Pride® Power Lift Recliners, and VivaLift!™ Power Recliners. The company was founded in Pennsylvania in 1986 with a focus on putting the customer first. Eventually, the company reached a global level with manufacturing facilities across the United States.
In this post, we’ll be taking a look at the history of Pride Mobility Scooters and how it grew into the international success that it is today.
The story begins in a small building on Main Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania. The Meuser and Kretchik families have formed a partnership to start manufacturing lift chairs for the nation. In 1992, the company becomes the industry leader in lift chairs and uses the opportunity to expand into mobility scooters, releasing the widely-popular Shuttle scooter. It becomes an industry-first, incorporating sleek styling with customization options to meet customer preferences. The company also innovates its acclaimed Jazzy® Power Chair which is instantly recognized as one of the most natural-feeling power chairs ever designed.
1998 is the first year that Pride enters the international market with subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and Canada with plans for further expansion. Two years later, Pride forms Quantum Rehab®, a division dedicated to the design and manufacturing of complex rehab technology. Their cutting-edge seating, power bases and electronics establish new standards for those with advanced mobility needs. Pride then moves on to develop the Dynamo pediatric mid-wheel power chair and Synergy® Cushions and Backs. The TRU-Balance® Power Positioning System is also launched, providing users with new levels of comfort, durability, adjustability and aesthetics.
As of 2004, Pride becomes the global leader in scooters. They continue to revolutionize the industry with the ultra-compact Go-Go® Travel Scooter and also acquire SilverStar Mobility vehicle lifts (later renamed Pride® Lifts & Ramps), a vehicle lift systems division. 2006 marks the 20th anniversary of Pride and also a year of challenging legislative changes that Pride led the charge to adapt to. Between 2007 and 2010, Pride evolves their designs, developing advanced products such as the Victory® Scooter Series and the industry-leading Quantum® Q6 Edge® complex rehab power chair.
Pride unveils their Rental Ready products to provide durable and innovative solutions in the rental environment. In 2012, they release the Rival® rear-wheel-drive power chair, once again setting a new standard in user comfort, and 2013 evolves the Go-Go® line with the Go-Go® LX with CTS Suspension. In 2014, Pride and Quantum acquire Stealth Products®, a complex rehab leader in seating systems, positioning components, alternative drive controls, and pediatric products.
Pride launches its iLevel® technology on the new Q6 Edge® 2.0 Power Chair in 2015, marking yet another new standard for power-elevating seating systems. In 2016, Pride releases the Jazzy Air® and in 2017, Quantum’s revolutionary iLevel technology is further upgraded and enhanced. The same year, the VivaLift!® Power Recliners and 4Front® front-wheel drive power chair, featuring SRS (Smooth Ride Suspension), are also launched. 2018 saw the launch of the Edge 3 which yet again revolutionized the power chair experience. It included many modern changes such as USB charging, standard fender lights and independence-inspiring performance.
Now it’s 2019 and Quantum® introduces an innovative new app called Interactive Assist while Pride launches the Jazzy Select®, Victory® LX Sport, Wrangler® and the ZT10.
In this post, we’ll be taking a look at the history of Pride Mobility Scooters and how it grew into the international success that it is today.
1986 - 1996: Humble Beginnings
The story begins in a small building on Main Street in Pittston, Pennsylvania. The Meuser and Kretchik families have formed a partnership to start manufacturing lift chairs for the nation. In 1992, the company becomes the industry leader in lift chairs and uses the opportunity to expand into mobility scooters, releasing the widely-popular Shuttle scooter. It becomes an industry-first, incorporating sleek styling with customization options to meet customer preferences. The company also innovates its acclaimed Jazzy® Power Chair which is instantly recognized as one of the most natural-feeling power chairs ever designed.
1998 - 2003: International Expansion
1998 is the first year that Pride enters the international market with subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and Canada with plans for further expansion. Two years later, Pride forms Quantum Rehab®, a division dedicated to the design and manufacturing of complex rehab technology. Their cutting-edge seating, power bases and electronics establish new standards for those with advanced mobility needs. Pride then moves on to develop the Dynamo pediatric mid-wheel power chair and Synergy® Cushions and Backs. The TRU-Balance® Power Positioning System is also launched, providing users with new levels of comfort, durability, adjustability and aesthetics.
2004 - 2010: Revolutionizing the Industry
As of 2004, Pride becomes the global leader in scooters. They continue to revolutionize the industry with the ultra-compact Go-Go® Travel Scooter and also acquire SilverStar Mobility vehicle lifts (later renamed Pride® Lifts & Ramps), a vehicle lift systems division. 2006 marks the 20th anniversary of Pride and also a year of challenging legislative changes that Pride led the charge to adapt to. Between 2007 and 2010, Pride evolves their designs, developing advanced products such as the Victory® Scooter Series and the industry-leading Quantum® Q6 Edge® complex rehab power chair.
2011 - 2014: Rental Products and Stealth Products® Acquisition
Pride unveils their Rental Ready products to provide durable and innovative solutions in the rental environment. In 2012, they release the Rival® rear-wheel-drive power chair, once again setting a new standard in user comfort, and 2013 evolves the Go-Go® line with the Go-Go® LX with CTS Suspension. In 2014, Pride and Quantum acquire Stealth Products®, a complex rehab leader in seating systems, positioning components, alternative drive controls, and pediatric products.
2015 - 2019: Developing New Technologies
Pride launches its iLevel® technology on the new Q6 Edge® 2.0 Power Chair in 2015, marking yet another new standard for power-elevating seating systems. In 2016, Pride releases the Jazzy Air® and in 2017, Quantum’s revolutionary iLevel technology is further upgraded and enhanced. The same year, the VivaLift!® Power Recliners and 4Front® front-wheel drive power chair, featuring SRS (Smooth Ride Suspension), are also launched. 2018 saw the launch of the Edge 3 which yet again revolutionized the power chair experience. It included many modern changes such as USB charging, standard fender lights and independence-inspiring performance.
Now it’s 2019 and Quantum® introduces an innovative new app called Interactive Assist while Pride launches the Jazzy Select®, Victory® LX Sport, Wrangler® and the ZT10.
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