Permobil, Inc. officials announced the company expects to invest $15.5 million to expand its manufacturing operations at the company’s North American headquarters in Middle Tennessee, according to a press release by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).
Permobil, founded in 1967, is the global leader in trusted health care solutions for power and manual wheelchairs, seating and positioning products, and power assist. The company has 1,600 employees worldwide, and is part of Patricia Industries, a subsidiary of Investor AB, the press release notes.
“Permobil’s decision to expand its Tennessee manufacturing operations is a testament to our strong business climate, highly skilled workforce and quality of life,” Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said in a statement. “I thank Permobil for its investment in Wilson County and look forward to the company’s continued success.”
Located at 300 Duke Dr., Permobil aims to create 70 new jobs over the next five years as the company constructs a 70,000-square-foot addition to its existing Lebanon operations, according to the press release.
“Tennessee is defined by the brands that call our state home, so we thank Permobil for committing to create 70 new jobs in Wilson County,” TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe said in a statement. “We are proud to be the home of Permobil’s North American headquarters and appreciate this company for its continued investment and job creation in Tennessee.”
Permobil has enabled millions of end users with empowering innovations, including the first standing power wheelchair, the world’s most advanced seating solutions, the world’s most configurable lightweight manual wheelchairs, and the world’s first connected power wheelchair, among many others, the press release notes.
In November of 2021, Permobil’s Explorer Mini was honored by TIME as a best invention of 2021 for being a groundbreaking mobility solution for children as young as 12 months of age.
“The contributions of our Permobil team are what enable us to enhance the lives of individuals living with disabilities, and we are excited about our expansion and the new jobs we are bringing to Wilson County,” Chuck Witkowski, president, Permobil Americas released in a statement. “We are grateful to Governor Lee, Commissioner Rolfe, TVA SVP Bradley, State Senator Pody and State Representative Boyd for their commitment and support. Investing more in our people, our facilities, and in Middle Tennessee benefits our employees, our business, and the local economy.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Woman in a Permobil Wheelchair” by Permobil.
“We are grateful to Governor Lee, Commissioner Rolfe, TVA SVP Bradley, State Senator Pody and State Representative Boyd for their commitment and support. Investing more in our people, our facilities, and in Middle Tennessee benefits our employees, our business, and the local economy.”
Did Mr. Lee just spend more taxpayer dollars to boost his campaign? It sure appears to be the case. How many millions (billions?) does the Development Commision have in its slush fund? Whatever the amount, it is way too much. Mr. Lee should have to report it as campaign funding.