BraunAbility is celebrating 50 years of being a local and global leader in mobility solutions, impacting millions of people with mobility challenges around the world, under the leadership of the late Ralph Braun.
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A value-added agriculture business may be looking to set up operations in Pulaski County, with the potential for up to 30 full time jobs. That’s according to Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer. Continue reading
The Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana, Ivy Tech Community College is looking for trailblazers to join its ranks. Continue reading
A Winamac entrepreneur who is regarded as a “rock star” in the waste handling industry is one of the Innovators of the Month of December. Each month, the Society of Innovators at Ivy Tech Community College Northwest spotlights the accomplishments in the seven-county region. Continue reading
Pulaski County’s largest and most expensive home could soon have a new owner. The Braun Mansion will be sold at auction in New York on Aug. 6th. It was built in 1998 for Braun Corporation founder Ralph Braun, who died in February of 2013. The home sits on a 40 acre property just south of Winamac and features nearly 16,000 feet of living space. Continue reading
Pulaski County is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, and the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana wants to showcase it. Nominations are open for individuals and teams through Monday, July 6. Continue reading
Pulaski County’s largest and most expensive home is on the market. It was built in 1998 for Braun Corporation founder Ralph Braun, who died in February of 2013. The home sits on a 40 acre property just south of Winamac and features nearly 16,000 feet of living space. Indianapolis-based Encore Sotheby’s International is handling the listing. Continue reading
Melody Braun was at the Indiana Statehouse recently to accept an award in her late husband’s honor.
Governor Mike Pence recently honored Ralph Braun with the Distinguished Hoosier Award. Representative Doug Gutwein attended the award ceremony and stated that there was no way to fully show appreciation for all that Ralph Braun accomplished, but hoped this could show how appreciative Indiana is for the major contributions he made to the state.
Employees of the Winamac-based Braun Corporation have a day off to pay their respects to the company’s founder and CEO. Ralph Braun, 72, died last Friday.
Braun built his first three-wheeled scooter in 1962 to overcome his mobility challenges brought on by a childhood illness. In 1972 he founded The Braun Corporation, which manufactures a full line of mobility products and employs more than 800 people. BraunAbility employees are wearing blue ribbons in memory of Ralph Braun. His funeral visitation is today from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Eastern at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winamac. Braun’s funeral mass is tomorrow at noon at the church, followed by entombment at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Winamac. His family encourages anyone who would like to pay tribute to his legacy and help make mobility affordable for people who need a little extra support to donate to the Ralph Braun Foundation. Visit www.ralphbraunfoundation.org for more information.
Ralph William Braun, founder and CEO of The Braun Corporation, passed away Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 in Winamac. He was 72.
Born on Dec. 18, 1940 in Winamac, he was the son of Joseph J. and Olive M. Braun. He was a pioneer in the mobility industry, after struggling with SMA from a young age. Out of a need to improve his own mobility, Braun built his first three-wheel scooter in 1962. Realizing that there were many others like him, he started his own company, Save-A-Step Manufacturing, in 1963. It eventually grew into The Braun Corporation, which was incorporated in 1972. What began as a solution to his own mobility needs grew to a company that would eventually change thousands of lives. In 2006, The Braun Corporation adopted the brand name, BraunAbility for its products. Today his company has grown into a world-wide corporation, with its headquarters still based in Winamac.
In 2010, Ralph Braun released his autobiography, Rise Above. He then started The Ralph Braun Foundation as a way to assist the disabled population with purchasing mobility equipment. As a recipient of many awards and honors, Braun’s recognition began in 1979 when he received the Employer of the Year Award from the Commission for the Handicapped and the Indiana State Board of Health. Since that time, he has been featured on television and in many newspaper and magazine articles for his success and drive to improve the lives of others with disabilities. In 2012 he was recognized as a “Champion of Change” by President Barack Obama. Braun was also honored with the Support of the Guard and Reserves Patriot Award for his dedicated support and flexibility offered to employees serving in the military. Braun’s most recent award was a bronze plaque from the Adaptive Driving Alliance for being the leader and pioneer for mobility products. Continue reading
A prominent Winamac resident is dead. Sources close to the family confirm that Braun Corporation founder and self-made millionaire Ralph Braun died Friday afternoon. He was 72.
As a child Braun was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy and by age 15 was unable to walk. Braun was confined to a manual wheelchair, which left him exhausted at the end of the day. He was in his early 20s when he started to tinker in his cousin’s farm shop and invented the world’s first electric scooter. Braun dubbed it the Tri-Wheeler, and it quickly gained popularity in the disability community. Braun took orders and built Tri-Wheelers in his parents’ garage under the name Save-A-Step Manufacturing.
Ralph Braun, CEO of the Braun Corporation and Braunability in Winamac, will appear on CNN this weekend in a piece called “The Human Factor” hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
Braun will discuss how he designed a four-wheeled and three-wheeled electric scooter to help in his mobility needs. He was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy when he was six and has been using a motorized scooter as a way to be mobile.
