Ed: With an aging population, many in their later years struggle with mobility issues. In fact, by some statistics, nearly one in every 200 people need some kind of accessible ramp for their home.
Maria: In tonight’s Made in Mass Doug Meehan introduces us to a local company that has made its mission to help people find their forward.
Justin: We actually make life better. It kind of sounds cheesy but that’s what we do.
Doug: Justin Gordon wants to make it clear. His family’s company, Amramp Accessibility is about helping people first and then it’s a business second. Amramp describes itself as America’s leader in U.S. manufactured modular wheelchair and mobility scooter ramps for homes and businesses. And business has never been better. Demand is so high for their mobility systems, Amramp recently had to move from South Boston into this larger manufacturing facility in Randolph.
Justin: Even today with our state of the-art facility you’ll see downstairs, we keep up but it’s tough.
Doug: You guys have some real old school manufacturing happening here.
Justin: MIG welding, very traditional manufacturing, great people working here.
Doug: It was Justin’s dad, Julian who first founded Amramp back in 1998. Previously he had been making security grates for buildings and someone asked him to build a ramp with similar materials.
Justin: He saw a need to help folks nationwide with this need to make homes and buildings accessible.
Doug: Over the course of just 24 years, Amramp has grown to 52 franchise operation from coast to coast and Canada. Along the way, they are helping thousand of people every week achieve the company’s motto, “Find your forward.”
Justin: They understand that they’re making a ramp for someone’s grandma. So our franchise partners around the country, they have people that understand that what they’re making every single day is helping someone get their life back, find their forward.
Doug: Back to Amramps’ founder, Julian Gordon. He’s been inventing daily-use items for quite a long time. Back in 1965 he received a patent for the 1st jet spray beverage dispenser. You know the kind you find at fast food restaurants today? I’m Doug Meehan, WCVB news center 5.
