NSM Expands Distributorship Agreement with WHILL

• By Laurie Watanabe
• Feb 14, 2018

National Seating & Mobility (NSM) has expanded the distributorship agreement it has with power mobility manufacturer WHILL.

In a Jan. 23 news announcement, NSM said it had signed with WHILL to be the exclusive complex rehab technology (CRT) distributor of the manufacturer’s new Model Ci power mobility device. The Model Ci, like WHILL’s original Model A device, is not defined as a power wheelchair.

NSM also distributes WHILL’s Model M, which is classified as a power chair, and is the device’s exclusive CRT distributor in the United States.

Bill Mixon, CEO of NSM, said in the announcement, “Our arrangement with WHILL as the exclusive U.S. CRT distributor of the Model M power wheelchair has proven to be mutually beneficial and we are proud to extend this with the Model Ci. The Model M has provided a new option for our clients, and we are confident that the Model Ci will also be well received.”

NSM’s home accessibility division, AccessNSM, will also distribute the Model Ci.

WHILL CEO Satoshi Sugie said of the Model Ci, “We’ve developed a revolutionary Personal EV designed to meet the diverse needs of NSM’s client base. NSM has proven a trusted partner, and we are pleased to extend our exclusive CRT distribution agreement with the Model Ci.”

The Model Ci has a lower price point than the Model A, but does sport WHILL’s patented front omni-wheels, which make the device highly maneuverable and cuts down on space needed to turn and operate the device. Model Ci has a 10-mile range, a 5-mph top speed, and disassembles into three parts for easier transporting in smaller vehicles.