New shop serves mobility needs

Bill Havansek's business goal is to help clients get around.

Havansek recently opened Transtech Mobility, a 4,000-square-foot showroom that offers a full range of power scooters, power wheelchairs and lift chairs. The company's primary customers are the ill, elderly or people with special needs.

The business operates at 910 Roosevelt Road in the Baker Hill Shopping Center in Glen Ellyn.

This is the second location for the company, which started four years ago in St. Louis Park, Minn.

The new showroom allows customers to test the products, and a mobility specialist assists with finding the chair or scooter that's right, as far as size and safety, for the customer.

The company works with Medicare/Medicaid, private insurance providers and funding organizations to ensure all individuals have the opportunity to pursue mobility solutions, regardless of their economic status or environmental situation, said Havansek, a resident of Palatine.

Before launching the DuPage County shop in mid-December, Havansek worked in the telecommunications industry, where he met business partner Mark McAlister several years ago.

Havansek, 58, said he was looking for more in his career. "We're here to make sure people are comfortable and safe," he said.

He's finding the business really fills a need. "It's better than selling a million dollar phone system," he said.

Havansek and his wife, Teri, are raising two daughters who attend Fremd High School. Teri runs the tutoring center at Schaumburg High School.

Havansek sells scooters in price from $1,500 to $2,500. The portable wheelchairs typically cost between $3,500 and $6,000, but can go all they way up to $20,000.

Havansek said he often works with occupational and physical therapists and doctors to help provide the units for patients. "Most of our business is referral based. We're a destination site," Havansek said.

Pennsylvania based Pride Mobility Products Corp., founded in 1986, manufactures the chairs found at the Glen Ellyn business.

The business is open from 10 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and by appointment. For more information, visit transtechmobility.com.

• Kim Mikus covers small business and retail. She welcomes comments at (847) 427-4567 or kmikus@dailyherald.com.