Last Wednesday, seven employees graduated from an 18 week-long NIMS Electrical Maintenance Training Class. This was the first training class to be offered at this capacity in the nation and it was an incredible success for Pulaski County.
All seven employees had perfect attendance throughout the course. According to Pulaski County Economic Development officials, these individuals demonstrated dedication to their craft and a commitment to continuously work on advancing their skills. Each graduate was awarded a nationally recognized credential issued by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills. Employers stated that employees who went through the training are already displaying noticeable results on the job. Continue reading →
A popular Winamac Community High School athlete who was murdered earlier this year will be forever remembered at his alma mater. Cord Colgrove played soccer and baseball at Winamac Community High School. After his March murder in rural North Judson, Colgrove’s family asked that memorial contributions be directed to the Winamac Community High School Athletic Department. Continue reading →
A couple lawsuits against Pulaski County were briefly addressed by the county attorney, during Tuesday’s commissioners’ meeting. One of them is a federal class action lawsuit alleging a lack of accessibility in the county courthouse for people with disabilities and mobility issues. Continue reading →
The planned closure of part of Pulaski County Road 60 West has prompted concerns from some Winamac officials. Under the plan, trucks entering the Winamac Industrial Park from State Road 14 would still use the road, but would have to pass through a gate controlled by the Braun Corporation. Passenger vehicles would have to find another route. Continue reading →
Pulaski County Commissioners (L to R) Bud Krohn, Jr., Terry Young and Larry Brady
The planned closure of part of Pulaski County Road 60 West may be revisited during tonight’s county commissioners meeting. Winamac Town Manager Brad Zellers is scheduled to discuss the closure with the board, according to the advance agenda. Continue reading →
Pulaski County Road 60 West, also known as Fitz Industrial Parkway, will be closed to through traffic, following action by the County Commissioners Monday. They voted to vacate the road between State Road 14 and 25 South. Continue reading →
Winamac-based BraunAbility will remain a cornerstone of Pulaski County’s economy for the next several decades. That reassurance comes from the CEO of the investment firm that recently purchased the company. Swedish-based Investor AB’s Patricia Division is looking to expand its long-term investments in North America. Braun Corporation President Nick Gutwein says they aren’t looking to make a quick profit at the community’s expense. Continue reading →
An Aug. 6 auction is scheduled to sell the Braun Mansion, which is located south of Winamac.
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 →
New York City’s latest wheelchair-accessible taxis hit the streets last week. Winamac-based BraunAbility adapted the chassis of the Nissan NV200 cargo van to accommodate a rear-entry wheelchair ramp. It folds away when not in use by a wheelchair user, so the taxis are able to be used by both disabled and non-disabled passengers. The rear-entry design also eliminates the need for wheelchair passengers to load and unload in street traffic. Continue reading →
Winamac-based BraunAbility will be able to offer mobility solutions to the nation’s veterans through a new partnership.
The company recently entered into an agreement with the Adaptive Driving Alliance (ADA) to offer mobility equipment through their existing Federal Supply Schedule with the Veteran’s Administration. This will allow BraunAbility to leverage the success of the existing relationship while providing more choice and better mobility solutions for the nation’s veterans. Thanks to the partnership with BraunAbility, the ADA’s product offerings will now include lowered-floor accessible vehicles, expanding options and choice for veterans. BraunAbility’s full range of accessible vehicles will provide non-service connected veterans with a much wider array of new and pre-owned mobility options.
International recording artist Justin Hines will be performing in a free concert hosted by the Braun Corporation and BraunAbility. He will be singing selections from his “Vehicle of Change” tour.
Hines was recently featured on the CBS Sunday Morning Show and the Oprah Winfrey Network where he showcased his inspiring talent.
The concert is set for Wednesday, July 10 at 7 p.m. ET at the Winamac Town Park. Food will be offered along with face painting, balloon artists and more. Free will donations will be accepted and donated to the Ralph Braun Foundation to help those with physical disabilities afford mobility transportation.
The company that pioneered the wheelchair-accessible minivan is rolling out a new product. BraunAbility officials unveiled their newest vehicle – a mobility SUV – during an event in Clearwater, Fla. The Winamac-based company partnered with West Coast Customs on the design of the tricked-out Ford Explorer. It is designed to be an improved option to the standard wheelchair accessible mini-van. The concept mobility SUV was presented to Wounded Warrior Veteran Lance Corporal Mike DeLancey, who was paralyzed by a sniper’s bullehttp://www.wkvi.com/wp-admin/post-new.php#t in Iraq in 2006.
The life of Lance Cpl. Michael DeLancey, a native of Pinellas Park, Fla., changed entirely in 2006 when he was injured in Iraq. A sniper’s bullet pierced DeLancey’s spinal cord, paralyzing him from the waist down and damaging his lung. Today, however, this very deserving disabled veteran will be presented with an accessible Honda Entervan modified by BraunAbility, a Winamac manufacturer of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
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.
Members of the BraunAbility family are wearing blue ribbons in honor of Braun Corporation Founder and CEO Ralph Braun.Braun Corporation founder Ralph Braun
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.
Braun Corporation founder Ralph Braun
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 →
(L to R) Nick Gutwein, President of BraunAbility; Chris Medina; Bill Koeblitz, President/CEO of MobilityWorks; Todd Navarrete, General Manage of MobilityWorks; and Eric Mansfield, Vice President of Sales at MobilityWorks
MobilityWorks, a leading dealer of BraunAbility accessible wheelchair vans and lift systems gifted a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan with a BraunAbility conversion van to Juliana Ramos last Wednesday. Ms. Ramos is a bride-to-be who now relies on a wheelchair for mobility after suffering traumatic brain injuries as a result of a car accident in October of 2009.
Last Wednesday, seven employees graduated from an 18 week-long NIMS Electrical Maintenance Training Class. This was the first training class to be offered at this capacity in the nation and it was an incredible success for Pulaski County.
